As a teenager, you may have kept a diary under your mattress. This was a safe place to confess your struggles and fears without judgment. It felt good to get all those feelings and thoughts down on paper. There seemed to be more clarity in the world.
After reaching adulthood, you may no longer keep a diary. However, the concept and its benefits remain relevant. It’s now called journaling. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them. Additionally, keeping a journal can be a great way to relieve stress, depression, or anxiety. By doing so, you can improve your mental health and gain control of your emotions.
Journaling Benefits
Finding a healthy way to express yourself is one way to deal with overwhelming emotions. This makes a journal an effective tool for managing your mental health. By keeping a journal, you will be able to:
- Manage anxiety
- Reduce stress
- Cope with depression
Your symptoms will be controlled and your mood will be improved by journaling by:
- Helping you prioritize your fears, concerns, and problems
- Maintaining a day-to-day diary of your symptoms can help you identify triggers and learn ways to control them
- Encourage positive self-talk and identify negative thoughts and behaviors
Journaling can help you identify what’s causing your stress or anxiety when you have a problem. After identifying your stressors, you can devise a plan to resolve them and reduce your stress.
It is important to keep in mind that journaling is only one part of a healthy lifestyle that can help you manage stress, anxiety, and mental health conditions better. In order to get the most benefits, you should also:
- Spend time each day relaxing and meditating.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Get regular exercise – do something active every day.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep every night.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Keep a daily journal to ensure you follow these guidelines.
How To Journal
You can get started with journaling by following these tips:
- Make a habit of writing every day. Invest a few minutes each day in writing. Regularly writing in your journal will help you stay motivated.
- Make it simple. Make sure you always have a pen and paper handy. You can then write down your thoughts when you want. Your smartphone can also be used to keep a journal.
- Whatever feels right, write or draw. You don’t need to follow any particular structure when keeping a journal. This is your own private space for expressing yourself and discussing whatever you want. Feel free to express yourself. You don’t need to worry about spelling errors or other people’s opinions.
- You are free to use your journal however you see fit. No one needs to know what you write in your journal. You could share parts of your journal with friends and family if you wanted to share some thoughts.
When your world seems chaotic, keeping a journal can help you create order. When you reveal your most private fears, thoughts, and feelings, you get to know yourself better. Consider writing time as a form of relaxation. This is a time for de-stressing and winding down. Write in a relaxing and soothing environment. Look forward to your journaling time. Feel good about what you’re doing for your body and mind.
From the University of Rochester