Happiness Journals Make People Happy

Keeping a journal of the moments, people, and "things" that inspire gratitude in our lives isn't a new concept--Oprah has been talking about it for decades--but the idea that there is some actual scientific proof that paying attention to what makes us happy can actually make us happier is pretty sweet stuff.

The big names* in Happiness Science--also known as Positive Psychology--tell us that keeping tabs of what makes us happy in a purposeful, organized format can actually make us happier. The studies show that in addition to being happier folks who practice gratitude sleep better, deal with change more effectively, and--over time--are healthier and have closer relationships with other people. Drs. Seligman, Lyubomirksy, Csikszentmihalyi and their colleagues have done the hard work of studying, quantifying, and reporting^ the science. It is up us to actually implement it.

The good news is that there are pretty straight-forward ways to practice gratitude. In the studies, folks were asked to log onto a website several times a day and type a sentence or two about something that made them happy or grateful. These could be little things or huge things. It turns out that it really wasn't the "stuff" that made people happy, it was noticing that they were happy that made them happy! And the more they noticed--yep--the happier they felt.

Just in case you don't have time to read the research and the books that outline the why's and how's, lemme just cut to the chase.

We keep track of our money--see: checkbook--our time--see: calendar--our wants--see: wish lists--and our promises--see: to do lists. A Happiness Journal is where we keep track of our happiness.

Folks vary on the number of entries--daily? several times a day?--the location and format--online? paper calendar? pretty blank book?--but the goal and end results are similar. Make it a daily habit to notice what makes you happy and write it down.

Stuck on what to notice? I'll share some thought starters in a future post. In the meantime... make it a happy day!


*These folks are not just the most notable folks in the field, they also seem to have really long names. Once you learn them, it is an act of gratitude to be able to name drop the likes of Drs. Sonja Lyubomirsky and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Martin Seligman. Go ahead! Try it! It's fun!

^ The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Dr.Sonja Lyubomirsky

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Dr. Martin Seligman