The Profound Mental Health Benefits of Journaling

It should come as no surprise that writing in a journal can help with stress. This is confirmed by research from the University of Rochester Medical Center. Journaling can help you identify what’s causing you stress, which can help with such mental health conditions as depression and anxiety. It can help you prioritize problems, track symptoms and provide an opportunity for positive self-talk. It can also lead to positive physical health outcomes as well. By processing your thoughts this way, you create space for joyful emotions.

But how do you start? Cassandra Littlewood has some great suggestions in her piece that ran in Queens Journal. In it she gives the following recommendations.

• It doesn’t matter your medium, whether it be the Notes app on your phone or a pristine leather journal, the important part is that you write and write honestly.
• This cannot be a lukewarm endeavor. If you don’t know how to start, try writing the most honest and clear sentence that your brain can muster. The rest will follow.
• By being honest with your journal you can then be honest with yourself and your health.
• Stay with it. The more you do it, the more you will gain from it.