Need Stress Relief? Give Journaling A Try.

 Journaling is one way to help decrease stress in our lives.

According to insider.com the benefits of journaling include reduction of stress, calming anxiety, decreasing depression, improving memory, strengthening the immune system, increasing optimism, and helps you cope with trauma.

Other Benefits of Journaling

Help you achieve your goals by helping you focus on them and thus make them a priority.

Helps you acknowledge your problems and fears and, in so doing, possibly conquer them.

Helps you gain confidence.

Helps improve your writing skills

Helps inspire you in many ways, and one way can be moving on after trauma.

Helps you with your emotional health.

What is Journaling

It's simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. And if you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal can be a great idea. It can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.

University of Rochester

Types of Journaling Methods

There are many types of journals, but I will mention a few popular ones here.

Gratitude Journal-A journal where you can regularly count your blessings. Write down what you are thankful for. This is positive psychology and can help you develop a more positive attitude.

A Sketch or Visual Journal- This journal includes art, written words, and images.

A Goals Journal- This journal would focus on your goals, your strategy to achieve them, and seeing the goals through to completion.

A Fitness Journal-Tracks your plan, progress, and accomplishment related to your fitness goals.  

Food Journal-Helps you track what you eat and drink daily.

Dream Journal-This is where you would write down what you dream about each night.

Stream of Consciousness Journal-This is where you write with no plan. You just write whatever you are thinking of at that moment.

Journal Prompt Journal-This is where I would use journal prompts to tell my story.

Therapeutic Journal-This is where you write your thoughts, experiences, and feelings. It helps you better understand yourself, process emotions, and helps you produce goals, and solve problems.

There are many types of journals. Select the style that is right for you and give it a try. For me, I like journal prompts and a goals journal. I have a dream journal to write about what I dream about at night. Sadly I have not consistently written my dreams. I may give that a try again.

Give Journaling a Try!

KathieyV