Did you have a diary as a kid? I did. There is something cathartic about writing things down. After my divorce, my therapist even recommended I write down everything that was bothering me because I was having trouble saying it aloud. It’s nice to just get it out– out of your mind, out of your body.
I was hesitant to do it because I didn’t want anyone finding it, reading it, and judging me. I felt ashamed of feeling the way I did. But, I wrote it all down anyway. I wrote down the things that bothered me. I wrote down the big things and the little things. I chronicled my pain and my disappointments, and the few moments of intermittent hope. I also recorded bible verses that spoke to me and quotes that inspired me. And, on some days–when there weren’t any words– I just doodled. I had stacks of notebooks with tear-soaked prayers detailing every little thing that ate at me. Until one day the entries started getting shorter and more hopeful. The doodles got happier. I started counting my blessings again. My notebook started to record my hopes and dreams. I set new goals for my life… and I kind of became obsessed with bullet journals.
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling is actually a great way to improve your mental health if you’re dealing with stress, depression, or anxiety. It gives your feelings a healthy outlet. That is because having a healthy way to express yourself gives you a little control of what you are feeling. You can see your problems, sort through them, identify your fears and concerns, and give yourself a way to track your progress. It also gives you a chance for some positive self-talk. You can track bad behaviors and identify triggers. And believe it or not, it is good for your body too. Writing can help you improve immune function, decrease risk of illnesses, and keeps your brain sharp.
With all of those benefits, why wouldn’t you start jouranling?
However, since journaling isn’t a cure-all. In addition to journaling, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle for better managing stress, anxiety, and mental health conditions.
A few more things that could help you manage stress:
- Meditate/pray every day.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Get in some regular exercise every day.
- Get plenty of sleep each night.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Reference:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1
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