As the New Year approaches, we begin to take stock of our lives, where we have been, and where we are going.
One of the most important things you can begin today is taking care of your mental health. It is just as important as taking care of your physical health. The easiest way to accomplish this is by Journaling.
Putting your thoughts on paper is a therapeutic process that provides clarity while helping relieve stress and anxiety.
To gain a better understanding, check out what these experts say about this beneficial mind hack:
Understand your emotions
Molly Bahr, a licensed mental health counselor, recommends journaling to all of her clients as a tool to help them clarify their thoughts and understand their feelings. “It’s a great way to get to know yourself better and manage emotions in a healthier, less reactive way,” says Bahr. “Writing allows you to slow down, feel your feelings, and gain insight into what information your emotions are trying to tell you. Having this information allows you to respond in a way that would be most beneficial to you.”
Challenge negative thoughts
According to Jessica Sprengle, a licensed professional counselor, journaling not only helps you remember significant life events, but it also can significantly improve mental health and the overall quality of life. “Taking just 20 minutes a day to a journal can help with organizing and challenging negative thoughts, emotional patterns, problem-solving, conflict resolution, stress reduction, identify formation, and more,” she says.
Problem solve
Journaling is a powerful tool for better understanding your problems. Psychotherapist Kelsey Fyffe says, “Writing down your thoughts and feelings allows you to do three things: identify your emotions, label your problems, and begin searching for answers. Journaling forces you to slow down and focus on yourself without distractions.”
Practice self-care
Journaling can also be a useful self-care practice because it gives you a sense of peace, understanding, and groundedness. “[Journaling] gives you a sense of physical relief from the fear, sadness, or anger that you’ve been holding,” says Elizabeth Hooghkirk, a licensed marriage and family therapist. “Some of the most important pieces of overall well-being include awareness, acknowledgment, and compassion — journaling allows you to give this to yourself!”
Reduce anxiety
When you feel stressed or anxious, the emotional part of the brain is usually in overdrive. “Journaling your thoughts activates your pre-frontal cortex (the part of the brain for rational thinking), and in doing so, this helps to calm the amygdala (emotional center), helping you gain clarity,” explains Poppy Jamie, founder of the Happy Not Perfect app.
Have you tried journaling? How has journaling helped you? Let me know in the comments below!
Sending positive healing vibes! 💋
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Great post! Mind over matter 😜
Thank you so much! 😍
I’m definitely going to be more focused on self-care in 2019
🙏🏼😍
oooh i love this, i definitely need to slow down a bit more & do more self-care stuff. love the idea of journaling!
such good advice. All times of the year but especially know when people can feel overwhelmed.
Absolutely 😉
Such an helpful post. I feel like a lot of people forget to care for them self, take time of their day to pamper and do some self care, but it’s so important for mental health. xx
Thank you! Yes, so true. xx
Visiting! I started a friend on keeping a gratitude journal. She had never journaled before. It is making a difference just writing three things that day she is grateful for. It is a beginning.
Yay! This is what we all need at some point of our lives. xx