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. So in essence journaling can be a valuable tool for reducing stress.
Other Benefits of Journaling
Help you achieve your goals by helping you have a greater focus on them and thus make them a priority.
Helps you acknowledge your problems and fears in your journal entries and in so doing, possibly conquer them.
Helps you gain confidence.
Helps improve your writing skills.
Helps inspire you in many ways, and can be an effective tool in moving on after a traumatic experience.
Helps you with your emotional health.
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. Gratitude journaling produces positive psychology and can help you develop a more hopeful 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. This type of journaling could aid in producing a positive impact on your health.
Food Journal-Helps you track what you eat and drink daily. This gives us a greater focus on what we put in our bodies on a daily basis.
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