Introduction

The science behind gratitude journaling is solid. Improve your daily work life with a regular use of gratitude journaling. The nonprofit grind – days filled with the chronic stress ad vicarious trauma of those we serve, limited resources, and low pay – is survivable.

This month’s 2 Tips is based on science. Below, check-out the science links and free resources to support your servant leadership and overall success.

Tip 1

Set yourself up for success with gratitude journaling by getting a journal or pad of paper, keeping it somewhere practical such as the seat of your car, and using it regularly.

Tip 2

Don’t introduce gratitude journaling to direct reports and colleagues; perfect this tool in your own life in order to avoid yet another failed initiative in your organization.

The Science Behind Tip 2

For decades, gratitude practices have been studied in psychology and sports psychology contexts. Below are a few of these studies, helping you to “get your feet wet” with the science behind the benefits of regular use of a gratitude journaling:

  1. Improvements to one’s critical and creative thought
  2. Improves people’s sense of happiness
  3. Increases one’s ability to choose optimism
  4. Decreases people’s depressive symptoms
  5. Improvements to one’s empathy and identity
  6. Improves athletes’ healing and performance

 

Resources to Support Your Success with 2 Tips

  1. Free templates for gratitude journaling
  2. Gratitude-related articles from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley

 

Events, Resources, Learnings // Seasonal Newsletters

The seasonal newsletter shares social transformation and anti-racism resources, events, and learnings through BrownGirlHealing.org. 

You will also receive a free copy of the introduction to Dr. Vèlez Young's latest book, Nonprofit Work is Killin' Me: Mitigating Chronic Stress and Vicarious Trauma in Social Service Organizations.

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