Reduce Mom Stress - 20 Benefits of Starting a Gratitude List
Tired of feeling overwhelmed and anxious as a mom? We've all been there. But did you know that making a daily gratitude list can make all the difference in reducing your stress levels and improving your overall wellbeing? Recent studies show that people who practice gratitude experience improved physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health. And on top of that, it’s a simple practice that only takes a few minutes per day but with a huge reward - once you get going with your list, it will be your go-to guide to achieving a positive outlook and feeling more content and confident as a mom.
You might wonder, “is something as simple and cliche as a gratitude list really going to help?” I can’t say it enough that, yes, it’s an important way to shift your focus from the negative parts of mom life to the positive parts, and I’m here to help! In this blog post, we'll explore 20 benefits of starting a gratitude list for moms + I’ll give you step-by-step instructions to help you create your own gratitude list. Ready to start your journey of gratitude? Let's get started!
20 Unbelievable Benefits of a Gratitude List for Moms
As busy moms, we are often in survival mode & literally trying to deal with one stressful, overwhelming situation after the next. As one mom put it, “I’m always stressed about the next thing”. It’s easy for those hard parts of mom life to become the focus - so much so that they rob you of noticing and enjoying the good parts. Taking just a few moments each day to pause and reflect on the things you are grateful for is a proven strategy that retrains your brain. While the stress and anxiety of motherhood doesn’t go away, your outlook does. You’ll carry the stress & overwhelm of mom life differently.
Here are 20 reasons you might consider starting a gratitude practice yourself:
Promotes a Positive Outlook
Lowers Stress & Cortisol Levels
Encourages Self Compassion
Fosters Self-Worth
Boosts Your Confidence
Often Leads to a Desire to Give Back
Encourages a Positive Mindset
Promotes Self-Reflection
Increases Joy
Sets a Positive Example for Others to do the Same
Helps You Accept Your Imperfections
Increased Motivation to Meet Your Goals
Helps You to Find Solutions to Life’s Problems
Encourages Altruism & Kindness
A Dedicated Space to Appreciate What You Have
Increases Empathy
Keeps You Focused on the Present
Helps You Forgive Yourself
Time to Reflect on Your Day
Motivates You to Keep Up the Great Things You’re Doing
How to Write Your Gratitude List
Keeping a gratitude list is a simple practice that only takes a few moments per day. While there are many different ways to practice gratitude, I find that keeping things straightforward helps moms follow through with the task. So here’s what you’ll do:
Grab a notebook + pen and put it on the nightstand next to your bed. Each night, when you get into bed, you will open it up and write the date. Underneath of the date, you’ll make a list of three things that happened + that you’re grateful for on that day.
This only takes a few moments, and it’s a nice way to end a busy and stressful day. It gives you the chance to appreciate what you’ve done well and the way others have supported you. It also gives you the chance to document some of the cute things your kids have done!
The Benefits of Your Gratitude List Practice
Sometimes it will be hard to find things you’re grateful for, and that’s okay. It can be especially challenging when you first start this practice, because your mind is used to looking at the negatives instead of of the positives. But with practice, you’ll quickly start to notice the things that went well, the things you enjoyed, or the things that brought some relief to your challenging day.
Another benefit of keeping this notebook full of gratitude is that you’ll be able to look back it in when you’re having a hard day. Having this record of life’s joys really helps when you’ve had a bad day. Reading the list will feel like you’re experiencing those joyful moments again.
When you make time to practice gratitude, you’ll feel better overall and, as a result, serve your family AND yourself better. While mom stress may never disappear completely, the focus on the hard parts will melt away as you see how much you really have to be grateful for!
Looking for other ways to deal with the overwhelming status of motherhood? Join our Nurturing the Sisterhood community or follow along on Instagram here!
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