Have you ever wanted to just let everything that you keep inside out and get that weight lifted from your shoulders? I know what that is like. And a lot of times, many people don’t have anyone to talk to for them to do that. But sometimes, all you need is yourself. Journaling has always been sort of an outlet for me and it has served me so well over the last few years. Here in this blog post, I’ll explain to you how journaling can help improve your mental health.

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What is journaling?

Journaling is a tool for self-expression, self-improvement, and self-awareness. You write down your thoughts and feelings to process and better understand them. Doing this can also help you gain control of your emotions which will help improve your mental health. Letting go of all of those feelings that you keep inside will feel extremely liberating once it is down on paper believe it or not.

You can even use a journal not only to express your thoughts and feelings but to track your triggers and stressors. This is a big one. I say this because, with depression and anxiety, you can write a bunch down one day on a page and come back to that page later on when you’re happy and see what caused you to act the way that you did. You can even learn from the things you write down and find better coping skills.

What are the benefits of journaling?

• Improves happiness.
• Keep track of habits.
• Improve and manage anxiety.
• Manage and decrease stress.
• Manage and improve depression.
• Track triggers for unhappiness.
• Improves productivity.

Journaling For Depression

Journaling is effective in helping people manage their depressive symptoms. It can serve as a symptom-management tool for those with mild depression. Journaling gives people with depression the opportunity to release negative emotions while keeping them in a positive mind frame.

When depression hits, it hits hard sometimes. And most of the time, you won’t be in the mood to deal with anyone or even want to talk. But doing something as simple as writing down what you feel can help make you feel better.

Journaling For Anxiety

If you have anxiety then you know how it can have you feeling stressed out almost every single day. Well, having a journal to write in will help you relieve some of that everyday stress. It will also help you track your triggers and experiences with anxiety.

Writing in a journal will help calm you and clear your mind. And this is so relieving if you have severe anxiety.

Two Types Of Journals You Need In Your Life

An Anything Journal

With an “anything” journal, you’re expressing your thoughts and feelings, having conversations with yourself, drawing, and doodling all in a blank journal. This journal is your outlet. Your getaway. Your safe space. I’ve known some people to write things down and tear them out and burn them. I’ve heard that it makes them feel better. I personally like to keep every single page because I like to track my growth.

A Gratitude Journal

With a gratitude journal, I don’t even know where to start. These things are amazing. They come with meaningful prompts to guide your entries and they are also filled with powerful quotes and affirmations. They also help so much with practicing self-love and self-care. Having a gratitude journal will teach you to have a thankful mindset and to me, that is important. I think that is a great way to stay happy and healthy.

I mean think about it. What if you had something that constantly reminded you to appreciate the littlest things in life? I love my gratitude journal. I think you should get yourself one if you already have an anything journal. You will thank me later.

Improve Your Mental Health By Writing In A Journal

Getting things out of your head down on paper has been proven to be therapeutic. Keeping a journal can help you fully explore your emotions, release tension, and fully integrate your experiences into your mind. So start journaling now if you haven’t already. Relieve that stress. Get those unpleasant feelings off your chest. Just let it out. I promise you will feel some relief and start to see an improvement in your mental health.

Related:

• 20 Positive Affirmations
• 40 Positive Affirmations For Anxiety & Depression
• 10 Affirmations To Boost Your Confidence