Benefits of journaling

Journaling is a powerful self-improvement tool and there are many benefits it brings to your life. Let’s see what writing a couple of pages can offer.

Just to mention again I am not talking about a diary or having a log of daily events, but about writing about feelings, thoughts, goals, etc. In other words, I am talking about expressive writing.

There are many benefits of journaling.

1. get clarity and understanding – about an event or an issue that we are facing.
2. writing activates the left side of the brain, and at the same time, the right side has time and opportunity to ponder.
3. With writing we free our emotions, the more we write the deeper we can go, so we become free of the emotional tension.
4. It evokes a sense of mindfulness.
5. It reduces stress and anxiety.
6. It improves mental clarity and understanding of self.
7. You can get inspired when writing about things you want to see, to happen, or do.
8. It can be used as a form of mediation, where you can focus just on one thing or thought.
9. There are is even evidence that journaling can help with your physical health as well. It can increase your immune system and speed the healing of wounds for example. Iz lessens the level of the stress hormone cortisol.
10. It is a free practice, you only need a notebook and a pen, it is very accessible and easy to do.

So why not try it? With journaling you can bee hones with yourself, honest without judgment, you can get another perspective on things, and you can seek answers to the questions you have for yourself.

How to form a habit of journaling

This can be your calming activity, unwinding in the evening, or practice to start a day. It is a good time for you, where you can stop and see how you are doing and this is all without the electronic devices. It is the same as with poetry for me, if I stop to read a poem or two, I have the feeling the time stops for a moment, the hectic is gone and my mind has something to ponder about. So why not start your writing with a poem perhaps?

Start by choosing a notebook and a pen. Make it a fun experience, you can go with a generic notebook from a nearby store and pen or you can even splurge on a Moleskine journal and some Pilot pens. There are a ton of options, from notebooks with stripes and without them. I like to choose a notebook that is spirally bound and has hardcovers – in this way I can journal on my couch or in bed as well, I do not need a table.

Choose a time that best sots your schedule. You do not need to journal every day, or you might want to if this is what you prefer. It depends on you, choose whatever time soots you best. Morning, evening, or somewhere in between. You can anchor this practice with your evening routine for example so that you don’t forget about it. There is no rule of how often you have to journal, write when you have something to say.

Begin with prompts, use some gentle prompts, or just start writing. Prompts are not a must, but they can help immensely to focus on one thing.

You can use some general questions to start:

• How am I feeling today? Why?
• What is happening in my life a the moment?
• What is bothering me?
• What excites me?
• What are my fears at the moment?
• What are my dreams, goals, and plans? What would I like to achieve?

You can make this habit something special and elaborate as you want, or you can kae it simple and no fuss time for you. Sometimes I like to light a candle, make some tea, even light an incense, but other times I prefer just to sit down and start writing. I wish you a good time with yourself and your journal, remember it will transform you for the better!