Journaling: A Helpful Life Hack to Improve Mental Health

Do you ever have those days when the stresses of life take your emotions on a fast-track roller coaster?

One moment, you're up; the next, you're down, and before you know it, your mind becomes awhirl, and your thoughts are twisted all around. And then suddenly, your thoughts are stuck, leaving you hanging upside down as feelings of desperation and hopelessness begin to set in.

In moments like these, sanity and a sound mind seem out of reach.

Journal Writing For Better Mental Health

Journaling for Mental Health

Look up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a journal, the unsung hero of self-care.

Journaling is a powerful tool to improve mental health. It allows you to express your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in writing. By writing in a journal daily, you can effectively manage and process your emotions surrounding overwhelming experiences, whether difficult or grand.

Putting your thoughts and feelings on paper can help you focus on the present. It can also help you let go of negativity from the past and reduce worry about the future.

How to Start Journaling

Think of journaling as your journey of self-exploration.

First, consider why you want to start journaling. Are you writing to overcome the stress and anxiety of a difficult life circumstance? Or are you writing about plans for your future, starting a new business, or taking a dream vacation? Or perhaps your goal is to develop gratitude awareness or record your daily experiences.

Whatever the reason, your journal's pages are your space to freely express yourself.

Choose the Right Journal for You

For as many reasons as you want to journal, there is a journal to fit every reason. Choose a journal that fits your specific need or desire. For example, a journal dedicated to gratitude, prayer, travel, self-care, etc.

Next, you'll want to choose a format. Should you opt for a journal with blank lines or guided prompts? Both are great options that serve different purposes.

The pages of blank-lined journals feature wide-rule or college-rule lines. This allows ample space to write your thoughts, feelings, and ideas without direction or guidance. It gives you complete freedom to write whatever you want, whenever you like, and however you like.

Journals with guided prompts are designed to provide structure and direction for you. They contain pre-written prompts that guide you through the writing process. The prompts may include questions, quotes, or writing exercises. Prompts encourage you to reflect on your thoughts and experiences in a more structured way. Some guided prompt journals help you dig deeper into a specific theme or topic. Other prompts gently nudge you towards daily self-reflection, using whatever themed journal you choose, such as gratitude, prayer, travel etc.

Your preference and writing goals determine whether to choose a blank-lined journal or one with guided prompts. Some writers may prefer the freedom and creativity of a blank-lined journal. Others may benefit from the structure and guidance of a journal with guided prompts.

Schedule Time for Daily Journaling

Some people say that it takes 7 days to form a habit, but others claim it takes 21 days or even as many as 30 days. Experts may disagree on how long it takes to create a habit. But, one thing is for sure: you will never form a good habit or routine until you decide to start.

Begin by committing time to writing every day or at least weekly. Make a date with yourself by scheduling it on your calendar, the same as you would any other appointment. Be true to yourself and stick to the schedule.

Sometimes schedules are demanding, or unexpected situations arise. But don't use that as an excuse to skip your journaling plan. Choose a portable, paperback journal that you can easily tuck into your bag. Take it with you wherever you go throughout the day. Once you start writing, your journal will become your BCC: Best Compact Companion. The key to growth is consistency. So, don't let a good thought or fretful expression drop with the dips and turns of your rollercoaster mind.

Improve Mental Health

There is no right or wrong way to journal. But the best way is to get started and allow your thoughts and expressions to flow from your pen to your paper.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started today on your writing journey of self-discovery. Open up your journal and fill in the pages using your handwriting and your words of expression. As they say, if not now, when?