The One Thing All Moms Need More of: Gratitude
If there’s one thing moms always need more of, it’s gratitude.
From the moment our kids wake up until the moment they (finally) fall asleep, we are constantly giving of ourselves—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
It can be easy to get lost in the never-ending cycle of motherhood and forget to take a step back and appreciate all that we have.
That’s why I’ve started keeping a daily gratitude journal.
Every night before I go to bed, I spend a few minutes to reflect on the things that made me grateful that day.
It could be something as small as my husband giving me a spontaneous hug or finally getting a chance to take a hot bath.
Or it could be something bigger, like getting through a difficult day without losing my cool.
No matter what it is, taking the time to reflect on the things we’re grateful for can help us appreciate the good in our lives and make us better mothers.
Here are just a few benefits of gratitude journaling for moms:
1. Gratitude makes us happier.
When we focus on the positive things in our lives, we naturally start to feel happier and more content.
This is because gratitude activates the parts of our brain associated with happiness and pleasure.
Taking just a few minutes out of our day to be grateful can have lasting effects on our overall happiness and well-being.
2. Gratitude makes us more patient.
It’s no secret that parenting can be trying at times—there are tantrums to deal with, demands to meet, and constant messes to clean up (just to name a few).
And when we’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to keep our patience levels up.
But studies have shown that gratitude can help boost our patience levels by increasing our self-control and ability to deal with stressful situations.
So the next time you’re feeling frazzled, try taking a few deep breaths and thinking of something you’re grateful for—it just might help you keep your cool until bedtime!
3. Gratitude helps us sleep better.
Moms are notoriously sleep-deprived—we average about six hours of sleep per night, which is well below the recommended seven to eight hours for adults.
This lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of problems, from decreased productivity during the day to moodiness and irritability.
But according to one study, gratitude journaling before bed improved participants’ quality of sleep by helping them relax and wind down before turning in for the night.
So if you’re having trouble sleeping, try writing down a few things you’re grateful for—it just might help you get some much-needed shut-eye!
Keeping a daily gratitude journal is one simple way that moms can improve their happiness levels, increase their patience, and get better sleep at night.
And who doesn’t need more of those things?
So if you’re looking for ways to make your mom life just a little bit easier, give gratitude journaling a try—you might just be surprised at how much it helps!
CLICK HERE for the link to the Five Minute Journal. Stay tuned because I’ll be writing a review!