5 surprising facts about gratitude + FREE gratitude journal

"Feed your gratitude and it wil starve your problems." -Zoe Kim

Don't you just love that quote? 

For me, gratitude has become more essential than ever these past few weeks. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in all of the news, emotions and unknown future that is gripping our world right now. When I choose gratitude over uncertainty, everything changes. 

Did you know that there are proven scientific benefits that connect gratitude to how our brain functions?    

Here are 5 facts about how gratitude directly benefits our brains:

1. Gratitude removes toxic emotions from our brains - Our mind cannot focus on positive and negative information at the same time.
2. Gratitude releases chemicals in our brain that literally make us feel happier - dopamine and serotonin.
3. Gratitude reduces physical pain - When these “happy chemicals” are released in our brain, physical ailments and conditions lessen. 
4. Gratitude improves sleep quality - The chemicals released in our brain when we practice gratitude help us fall asleep faster, get deeper sleep, and wake up feeling more refreshed. 
5. Gratitude reduces overwhelm, stress, anxiety, and depression - Lots of research shows that consistent gratitude practices are just as powerful as some medications and gratitude REDUCES the level of cortisol in the brain (stress hormone). 

(If you want, you can read more about the neuroscience of gratitude right here). 

If you want to find peace, be productive, feel motivated, and find joy during this hard time— practice gratitude!   

Katelyn on Team Simplify had a great idea to create a beautiful (and free!) 30 day Gratitude Journal just for you. 

👉🏻 Grab your free Gratitude Journal right here. 👈🏻

You can easily fill out this PDF digitally or print it out at home to use during this difficult season. Use your Gratitude Journal first thing in the morning or before you go to bed. (Or both!) Practicing gratitude helps you prepare for the day ahead or reflect on the day you just experienced.

I hope this journal helps you remember to be grateful each day and find light during this challenging time.

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." -Willie Nelson

Is this a difficult season? Yes. Can we still choose gratitude? Yes. 

Here's to choosing gratitude,

Gratitude Journal