Stylist: Sairey Stemp. Blouse and jeans, Sezane. Boots, Hobbs 
Do you write a journal? Or should I say ‘Are you journalling?' The practice has become so popular that I keep hearing people use the word as a verb. 
Every mental health practitioner and life coach I speak to recommends writing down daily thoughts as a tool for improving our mental state,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVxD9u95Z0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVxD9u95Z0 organising our thoughts and boosting our mood.
The past couple of years have caused a tsunami of worries, stresses and anxieties, but writing them down can act like a release valve on a pressure cooker. In a recent chat with life coach Alister Gray (‘Isn't journalling like keeping a diary?' you may ask. It is, except modern journals often have a structure that will provide us with tools to improve our lives. Kerry Kershaw, founder of One practice that has become incredibly popular is gratitude journalling - writing down the things we are grateful for.
We can fall into the habit of focusing on negatives. However, writing down a few things we are grateful for every day - anything from ‘I'm grateful to have a healthy body' to ‘I'm grateful for my lovely dog' - forces us to focus on the positives, and also makes us realise how fortunate we are.
To get the most benefits from gratitude journalling we need to do it daily. This is what makes The Five-Minute Journal (£27, I have been putting it to the test since the New Year and what I love is that it really does only take five minutes (often less). As someone who struggles to find the time to wash my hair, it's something even I can commit to daily.
I won't lie, in the beginning I was strangely resistant to it - in the morning I'm used to cracking on with the school run and packed lunches, then in the evening I am desperate to pass out. However, the more I do it the easier it is. When I'm reticent I remind myself that I think nothing of throwing five minutes away scrolling on Instagram. While I didn't think I needed a gratitude practice, little by little I'm finding it makes all the good stuff shine a little bit brighter - and that has been especially helpful over the past couple of months.
However, the bit I find a real game changer is the ‘What would make today great' part. This makes me pause to clarify the things I want to accomplish, focus my to-do list and feel more organised. 
Try it yourself. Five minutes a day might just change your life. 
 
I'm balmy for this
        £16, spots-and-stripes.com

I love Spots & Stripes' nature-based skincare for tweens and teens. But its new Awesome Arnica Balm is also for me. 
Packed with arnica, calendula, lavender and rosemary, it helps reduce bruising, aids sore muscles and even calms a headache or period pains.
£16,

  
        £120, bambooclothing.co.uk
The cool way to warm up  
Did you know that 73 per cent of clothing ends up in landfill? Which is why Bam Clothing has launched its new 73 Zero Insulated Gilet. 
It's 100 per cent recyclable, quick-drying, warm and fitted to the body. 
It's the perfect activewear addition as we head (finally) into spring. £120,  
@susannahtaylor 
 
 
  RELATED ARTICLES  Previous 1 Next      Susannah Taylor: My pick of the fittest leggings   Susannah Taylor: Calling all phone addicts   ROSIE GREEN: Are my hugs tearing us apart?    ASK CAROLINE: Our relationships expert answers your...     Share this article Share   

you.co.uk Privacy Policy  



data-track-module="am-external-links^external-links">
Read more:

Welcome to Tea and Tonic | Tea & Tonic
snugbud.com
homebody.co.uk
yogi-bare.co.uk
Alister Gray - YouTube
uk.magicofi.com
intelligentchange.com
Spots and Stripes • Earth friendly brand for tweens/young teens skin
Bamboo Clothing: Yoga Clothing, Base Layers, Sustainable & Soft Clothing



DM.later('bundle', function()
DM.has('external-source-links', 'externalLinkTracker');
);