Expressing gratitude has been linked to improved health. Whilst this is not suitable for those suffering from serious mental illness, studies suggest that gratitude improves mental health (link) and physical health, including reduced inflammation (link). So why not take time to focus on what you are grateful for? However bad things seem right now, we can find something to be grateful for, it doesn’t have to be something exceptional, it still counts when we are grateful for the small things.
You can:
- Focus on three good things that happened today before going to sleep;
- Write yourself a gratitude letter.