'Tis the Season for Gratitude

Over the past year I've taken up a practice which I have tried before but never managed to continue - the practice of gratitude, which is especially useful at this stressful and chaotic time of year.

It has been scientifically proven that practicing gratitude has amazing results for improving health and well-being, but sometimes it's hard to know where to start or how to do it.

For my birthday last year, my sister gave me "The Five Minute Journal" and I've been using it almost daily since. It literally takes only 5 minutes a day - about 3 in the morning and 2 before bed (depending on how easily your answers come).

The morning practice asks you to list what you're grateful for and then has space to write how you can make your day great, and a daily affirmation. The evening practice looks at the best moments of the day and how you could have made the day better.  There are daily inspirational quotes, and a blank spot at the top for the date, so if you miss a day, you don't have to miss a page.

It's a beautiful book and using it has made me feel happier, more in control of my choices, and it keeps me focused throughout the day so that I spend time on things that I choose rather than things I react to or get caught up in accidentally (hello, social media); it has encouraged me to stay focused on what is going well in my life rather than what is going wrong.

No matter how you do it, practicing gratitude has incredible benefits, so from Sunday 18th until Saturday 24th December, I'll be hosting a gratitude challenge on Instagram. It couldn't be easier: simply take a photo of something you're grateful for and tag me or use #gratefulholidays2016

Do you have a gratitude practice? Any different ideas on how to practice? Let me know in the comments. I'd be grateful ;)