JOURNALING - THE WRITE WAY TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH:

YOU don’t have to start your journal entries with “dear diary” to reap the benefits of daily gratitude journaling.

A Robert Emmons study has shown simply writing about the things you enjoyed during your day, things you were thankful for and your hopes for the rest of the week can boost your happiness by up to 25 per cent.

The Self-Love-Project director Eloise King said picking up a pen every day was one of the simplest ways to reap the benefits of gratitude.

She said poor mental health was one of the largest issues facing society.

“Research shows a clear link between physical and mental health,” she said.

“As a collective we’ve never been wealthier yet we’ve also never been sicker. As a result more people are looking for ways to feel better within themselves and about their lives, and turning to positive psychology techniques such as gratitude journaling which has been proven to improve mental and physical wellbeing.”

She said journaling wasn’t a new notion, but it could have big benefits in the modern age.

“Expressing gratitude increases oxytocin and creates stronger connections and bonds,” she explained.

“It encourages spiritual growth and integration, and promotes emotional, mental, physical and spiritual healing.”

The benefits aren’t just internal. Ms King said there were obvious, tangible benefits of journaling and practising gratitude every day.

“Journaling also has a long history of being used for greater clarity and wellbeing, and so combining the two daily is a simple recipe for better health, improved happiness, stronger relationships, a competitive edge at work and greater overall wellbeing,” she said.

“Gratitude journaling is such a simple yet powerful practice that anyone can do.

“All you need is a pen and a piece of paper. It really works.”

IT ENCOURAGES SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND INTEGRATION, AND PROMOTES EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING ELOISE KING