These days most adults and many kids are leading stressful lives. Some have more pressures than others, but stress is relative and depending on our circumstances and overall state of mind, it can have detrimental effects on our health.

There are a number of ways to reduce stress, including exercise and meditation, but just taking time to sit down and acknowledge everything that you have to be grateful for in your life can have a positive effect on your stress levels.

In fact, gratitude is the new thing in stress reduction. Wellness blogs and health and fitness magazines are recommending the act of writing down what you’re thankful for in journals.

There are even gratitude-specific journals and apps that remind you to write down what you have to be thankful for.