Journaling is one of the most recommended self-care practices in the world. It can help you find peace, clarity and closure from your experiences. It is a habit that can impact your physical and your mental health positively.
In this blog, we will examine journaling, its benefits and other necessary information you should know about journaling.
What is Journaling?
Journaling is the process of jotting or putting down your thoughts, feelings and ideas on a journal. It involves recording your thoughts/ feelings about an experience or situation. It is a therapeutic way of sharing your emotions and thoughts through words.
There are 2 major ways you can journal-
- Paper Journaling: This is when you document and record your thoughts in a paper, journal, notebook etc. With paper journaling, you are able to write down your thoughts anywhere without any digital device. It is also more personal.
- Digital Journaling: is a type of journaling that involves putting down your thoughts on a digital platform like a notepad or journal app. Examples of journal apps are Rosebud, Day One, ULY, etc.
When Can You Journal?
Journaling can be done anytime. You can do it immediately you wake up or before you go to bed. You also can do it at work. What matters is that you do it at a time and place where you will not be distracted.
What is a journal?
A journal is a space where you put down your reflective thoughts into words. It could be in paper form. It could also be done digitally i.e through journal apps.
Difference between a Journal and a Diary
A journal and a diary are constantly interchanged together but there is a difference. What you write in a diary is different from what you write in a journal.
A diary can contain records of your daily activities, schedule, events, and other information you want to remember. While a journal is used to document your feelings, goals, perspectives, experiences so you can reflect and learn from them.
ALSO READ: What is Yoga: 6 Major Benefits of Yoga on Your Mental Health
7 Major Reasons Why You Should Start Journaling
Journaling has become very popular in the world for amazing reasons like:
- Journaling provides a safe space to release and process your emotions.
When you write/type as the case may be, you let go of suppressed emotions and feelings. You are also able to reflect on them and find out what it means.
For example, if you start Journaling after a breakup, you are able to let go of any suppressed emotions, reflect and ultimately find closure.
2. It stimulates your brain and increases creativity.
Journaling helps you gain clarity and find inspiration. While journaling, you are consistently thinking, reflecting and brainstorming. This can stimulate your creative juices and help you think of great ideas.
- It improves your self-awareness.
Self-awareness is the ability of being conscious of your thoughts, patterns, behaviors and its impact on yourself and other people around you. Through journaling, you gain a deeper understanding of your behaviors, your emotions, etc.
With self-awareness comes growth. As you become more self-aware, you are able to let go of self-hurting behaviors and habits.
4. It reduces stress and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety are a reflection of your emotional state. Journaling can be an unburdening practice. It is like going to therapy.
While writing, your mind becomes free of stressful and anxious thoughts, helping you maintain a calm state of mind. A 2018 study has even revealed that journaling helped in reducing depressive symptoms and anxiety of its 70 participants.
5. Journaling helps you develop the habit of gratefulness.
As humans, we generally focus on what is going wrong in our life and dismiss the good. However, journaling changes that. It helps you pause, analyze your life experiences and notice the positive aspects of your life.
6. Journaling provides clarity and improves your problem solving skills.
When you are journaling, you analyze and try to understand an experience. In the process, you gain more perspective about a situation and begin to see it from both sides.
For example, if you have a challenge and you decide to write it down in your journal, you will find out that as you write, you begin to gain clarity about it and you may even get ideas on how you can solve that problem.
7. It improves your mood.
Journaling is a good mood booster. If you are in a bad mood and you decide to journal, at the end of the process, you will find that your emotions are less intense.
For example, if you are very angry and you start journaling, you will notice that as you write/type your anger fades.
How to Start and Maintain a Journaling Habit
To help you start and maintain the habit of journaling, here are a few tips to guide you:
- Get a Journal or a Journaling App (if you prefer digital Journaling).
- Create a Journaling Routine- Do you want to do it in the morning or at night? Do you want to do it at home or at work?
- Start Small- There is no rule that you must write a whole page when your journal. It could be as simple as writing a few sentences. Do not pressure yourself.
- Write Freely- There is no rule of what you can or can’t write in your journal. Don’t limit yourself. Write as you wish.
- Choose a Distraction-Free Zone and Time to Journal- Only journal at places and times when you will not be distracted. For example, if you are a mom, journaling when your kids are present might not be a good idea.
- Be Patient and Consistent- To reap the benefits of journaling, you need to be consistent. It should not be a one-time thing or a once in a while practice. Write in your journal regularly.
Conclusion
Journaling is one of the best practices you can do for your mental health. It will change the way you see things and help you find clarity and closure. Click here to purchase a Mindfulness Journal and start your journaling habit today.