Tag: dr. amen

This post is part of my Joy Experiment series which is published every Monday, and is a place to explore Joy (what it is, how to create it, why it’s important, etc).

Photo Credit: KateWares via Flickr

Gratitude, it’s everywhere

For the last few years I’ve read and listened to everyone from Dr. Martin Seligman to Dr. Oz to Oprah suggest that I should keep a gratitude journal.

In his book Flourish, Dr. Seligman talks about a group of Army sergeants who kept a gratitude journal and how it improved their health, sleep, and performance – not to mention their relationships (one sergeant, after 30 days of gratitude journaling, started to create a new, deeper connection with his 8 year old son).

Dr. Daniel Amen calls gratitude a natural anti-depressant (you can skip to 9:00 of the linked video if want to hear him talk about it).

And Dr. Andrew Weil recommends a gratitude practice to have a happier life.

So with all of this talk, not just from spiritual leaders, but from doctors who have supporting data & studies,…

why are we not all keeping gratitude journals?

I’m tired.
I forgot.
Eh, I can skip today. No biggie, right?
Damn it, I’m grateful enough already. I don’t have to write it down.
It’s just easier not to do it.

But what if they’re right?

What if gratitude is the way to create more joy (and health) in your life?
Continue reading “gratitude = joy.”