Journaling. One of the most recommended forms of self expression by professionals. Does it really help to improve one’s mood regulation, knowing one’s self, reducing stress, and many other benefits? The answer to that question is a simple yes. Well maybe not so simple, but in regards to the question if you can actually benefit from journaling, the answer is simply yes. So here’s why you should implement journaling in your own daily life and routine. Journaling in your choice of a personal document in your computer or a pen and paper is completely up to you. It is up to the individual preference of how you may choose to journal your thoughts. Journaling for at least fifteen minutes a day has been proven to improve one’s mood regulation in comparison to a person who does not take any time out of their day to journal. Listen, I know life can get extremely hectic and chaotic, possibly even worse. However, attempting to take fifteen minutes out of your day to start implementing journaling in your routine could be the decompression that your mental health needs. Journaling encourages a safe space to separate your negative thoughts and process your emotions in a healthier way. Reminder that this is your own personal diary, so whatever emotion you want to personally process you can! Anger, happiness, sadness, excitement, and the list goes on. Not every emotion you personally address has to be negative. Another benefit of journaling is it can help you figure out your next step. This means different things for every human, but some examples of figuring out your next step goes as such. Making a tough financial decision, a plan for getting a new job, making a decision about your current job, deciding how to handle a situation with a romantic person of interest or a platonic friend, a fight with a family member, and more. There have been recent studies that have confirmed that journaling can help with an individual's struggle with a frequency of intrusive thoughts. The studies have also shown that it helps young college students who may be more susceptible to depression, and even reduces overall low level moods in those who are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. One of my favorite benefits of journaling is it allows you to get to know you! It can help you with getting to know yourself, your biggest fears, aspirations, strengths, pinpointing important memorable experiences in your life, and this list as well continues. It helps you prioritize your problems and concerns going on currently in your life, or in the past. With each journaling session you help your brain by minimizing your emotional reaction to situations. What this means is it makes your reaction to a situation less intense and allows you to recognize and elaborate your feelings on it. The benefits of journaling for your mental health seem to be never ending. From encouraging self-confidence, boosting your emotional intelligence, inspiring creativity, boosting your memory, enhancing your critical thinking skills, strengthening your communication/writing skills, identifying/addressing negative thoughts patterns/behaviors, and even improving your physical health. So in conclusion, pick up that pen, (or tap on that keyboard) and get to writing. Give it a try and see if journaling can benefit you in any way. What is the harm in attempting to find oneself? Perhaps you choose not to go that deep yet, where is the harm in talking about what you did in your day. Don’t be shy, you only have you and you as a reader. Implement journaling in your routine today to help your mental and physical health.
Links:
Hi Makaela! I left you a note about your post in Canvas so be sure to check that out.
Hello, thank you for sharing this post. As a journalist I try to stay away from writing when I don’t have to. But reading this blog I remember the importance of writing my feeling and journaling small or big moments. I enjoyed this reminder. Great post.
Journaling is fabulous! You're right that it has loads of benefits for mental health and personal introspection, so I second the suggestion that readers pick it up for that reason. I don't keep up with it every day, but lately I use it when something happens that I know I want to remember - a fun coincidence, an image I didn't expect, that kind of thing. It's nice to be able to revisit those memories in the way journaling allows.
I haven’t journaled in some time, but I really ought to start again. I agree with much of your statements about journaling, and have found in my personal experiences that writing one’s thoughts helps you to articulate and introspect deeply about things. It can help you define and work through psychological problems or assist in defining what you feel or believe about something that’s been lingering in your mind.
Maybe it’s time for a new entry.
I absolutely stand by journaling as an amazing hobby with a-lot of practicality however, I rarely make enough time to do it. 15 minutes in theory doesn't sound bad though, so I think I might try and schedule a little amount of time every day to devote to journaling . I really enjoy writing and do it in multiple different contexts but I feel like taking the time to explicitly state stuff about myself in writing or just in words is something I dont take enough time for.