There is lots of research that shows that just by noticing more of the positives in your life you can reduce stress, begin to lift depression and have a better experience of life all round. Studies conducted by the Positive Psychology team at Penn State University have shown this simple exercise to be as effective at lifting depression as certain medications that are often prescribed by GP’s in the UK.

This exercise is called three gifts. Why not try it out and see what a positive difference it can make?

It’s easy, just follow these simple steps:

1. Get a lovely new notebook – preferably one that makes you smile just to own it but any notebook containing paper will do!

2. At the end of each day write down 3 things that could be considered gifts in your life. They can be something from nature, something someone said to you, something you read or saw. ?Anything that could be considered a gift to you.?Some days you might struggle to find 3 and other days you might struggle to only pick 3 of many.

3. Write down how you were responsible for bringing each of these gifts into your life.

Do this for at least 28 days and at the end of the month you will have a gorgeous record of so many things in your life that could make you smile.

Doing this exercise at the end of the day is great as you will fall asleep with these gifts in you mind and it primes your unconscious to go looking for more gifts the following day – lifting your mood,?relieving?stress and allowing you to?experience?life in a much more positive way.

Do let me know how you get on and if you suffer from stress, anxiety or depressive symptoms and you’d like to discuss how I can help you even further with Coaching and Cognitive Hypnotherapy in London do get in contact here.