Some of us have been dealing with depression and anxiety in various forms for years, and others might be relatively new to these dark or panicky feelings. My extrovert friends especially... I worry for you the most. So anyone who has gone through a bit of counseling or long-term can likely attest that most counselors suggest starting a daily practice of gratitude whether that is in written form or through meditation. The studies don't lie, it is a very effective course of action to lift the mood and relax enough to fall asleep or start the day off on a positive note. There are physical health benefits as well, simply because it can go both ways. Exercising more directly helps to lift the mood, but also lifting the mood through other avenues provides the head space and motivation to take care of your physical health.
I made an attempt to start gratitude journaling in January in the evenings right before lights out. What I found out quickly was that my body is so conditioned to sleep when I'm in bed, that I would start, get about 5 minutes into writing and then have to put it down because I couldn't keep my eyes open. So if you decide to start up something in the way of journaling, I highly suggest doing it at your desk, kitchen table, or sofa!
What I also found interesting to guide my thoughts was a devotional book of simple prayers and single Bible verses that I can look at daily and use as inspiration for identifying my three things to journal. I wrote out the central topic or adapted the prayer for my life and then the verse after my items and I felt like it helped me process it more fully and remember it. I wanted my gratitude points to be more specific than the BIG things in my life - beyond just my husband and kids. But perhaps specific things they have done or ways they have enriched my life.
This is the current one I'm going through called "Promises From God For Life's Hard Moments": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/168408217X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
She has a couple more that also look great for devotional purposes!
I also quit some other self-care actions intentionally and unintentionally that sent me on a slow decent. And my reasons for quitting were pretty lame as I look at them now. My reasons are usually lame, but at the time, they seem a lot more serious. Things like feeling too tired, or too stressed, or too overwhelmed. What is so important in those moments, is to remember who and whose I am. I don't belong to the things and people that are causing those moments of exhaustion or stress. I belong to God, first and foremost. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. - Romans 6:6
If you have been gratitude journaling or meditating for a while, what has helped guide your process? What benefits have you seen in your body and mind?
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