Journaling the happy increases happiness - journaling pain increases perceived pain.
http://www.bakadesuyo.com/whats-something-that-can-make-you-absolutelyIn English: patients with chronic pain were told to keep track of all the awful symptoms they experienced. They did -- and felt dramatically worse.
See a pattern?
I have a to-do list for you. There's only one thing on it: Put a notebook and a pen by the bed. Before you go to sleep, write down three things that happened to you that day that were good or that you're thankful for.
I also have a not-to-do-list for you: Stop keeping score of the bad. Stop holding on to grudges. Stop dwelling and ruminating on all the awful stuff.
People have been telling us that for what seems like eternity. I've often dismissed them as pollyannas.
Science is telling us they're right.