We bet you have thought about keeping a diary or journal before. Or perhaps you already do! Keeping a journal has more mental benefits than you might think. And what better time to start than during social distancing?
3 Benefits of Keeping a Journal
- Becoming more mindful. As we discussed in our blog on Mindfulness, it is the practice of accepting and appreciating the present moment. There is a strong connection between becoming more mindful and experiencing overall happiness in your life. Keeping a journal will encourage you to understand your current emotions and thoughts, and be mindful about them.
- Lowered stress. Every day, we have experiences that may boost or dampen our mood, causing joy or anxiety, and it can be hard to get those experiences off of our minds before we go to sleep. And as we know, chronic anxiety can block the immune system from performing at its best. For this reason, try unloading your thoughts in a journal at the end of your day. The act of writing down your thoughts, especially if they are negative, can help to release them from your mind and allow you to relax.
- Understanding yourself. Over time, consistent writing can provide a window into larger themes and goals in your life. And studies show that setting goals can actually alert your brain to focus on achieving them, both consciously and subconsciously. As we have discussed, keeping a journal is an outlet for releasing your emotions, and doing so in writing can help to improve your emotional intelligence. Having high emotional intelligence means that you are able to process and understand your own emotions, and those of others, which can bring your relationships even closer.
It may seem like a challenge to begin keeping a journal. Like anything else, starting slowly and trying to be consistent are the keys to incorporating journaling into your life. Maybe try to start by writing two or three days per week, and make a five minute space at the same time every day.
For more benefits, check out https://www.huffpost.com/entry/benefits-of-journaling-_b_6648884
