A gratitude jar is a simple container where you collect notes of daily gratitude, which serves as a physical reminder of your blessings. Daily gratitude reduces stress, improves sleep, builds emotional resilience, strengthens relationships, and builds lasting happiness by rewiring your brain to focus on positive experiences. All you need is a jar or container, small pieces of paper or sticky notes, a pen or pencil, and 5 minutes of daily practice.
The Give THANKS Method:
- T – Think About What You’re Grateful For: Reflect on the people you know, your day-to-day life, where you live, where you work, and notice what feels special or meaningful today.
- H – Have an Open Mind: Don’t judge what comes up during your gratitude reflection. Often, simple pleasures provide the deepest joy.
- A – Allow Yourself to Feel Gratitude: Once you've identified your main gratitude for the day, go deeper into why you chose it. Let the emotion of gratitude nourish your mind, body, and soul, and wash away stress and tension.
- N – Note Your Gratitude: Write what you’re grateful for and why on a piece of paper. Write "I'm thankful for ______ today because…"
- K – Keep It in Your Jar: Watching your gratitude jar fill up creates a powerful visual reminder of all the good in your life. You can see literal evidence of your blessings.
- S – Share It with Someone Else: Sharing your gratitude practice will enhance your results and provide a positive way to connect every day.
Source: Josie Robinson