Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people deal with stress on a daily basis. But that doesn’t make it a good thing. Stress affects our physical and mental health in negative ways. It disrupts our sleep, can lead to emotional eating, and many other issues. While there are many ways to deal with stress, journaling is one of the most effective methods. Here are a few tips for journaling to reduce stress and improve your peace of mind.
Choose a Journal That Suits Your Needs
Many different types of journals are available; find one that works best for you. Maybe it’s a paper journal or a digital one using your tablet, phone, or computer. Whatever is most convenient and works for you should be what you decide to use. This will help you to continue to journal daily.
Set Aside Time Each Day to Journal
Even if it’s just 15 minutes, this dedicated time will allow you to clear your mind and focus on what’s important to you. Feeling stressed, spacey, or losing your train of thought? You may just be on mental overload. Let go of your worries, thoughts, and feelings and empty your brain.
Be Honest with Yourself
In your journal, you can write about anything and everything on your mind. This is a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings, so don’t hold back. Get rid of all your negative thoughts. We all have them, and it’s okay if they sound harsh or hateful; vent about everything and use your journal as an outlet, a place to find release. Remember to be honest with yourself and your feelings. This will allow you to make sense of what is happening, work through it,, and move on to a more positive place.
Be Specific
When you’re journaling, don’t just write about your general stressors. Instead, focus on specific events or situations that are causing you stress. Remembering to be honest with ourselves when journaling and during brain dumps will allow us to identify stress triggers and think through possible solutions.
Practice Gratitude
After you’ve released all your stress and negativity, remember to practice gratitude. Find three things that you are grateful for; it could be the deliciously warm cup of coffee you enjoyed that morning, someone holding open a door or a host of other things. EndingEnding your entries with the things we are grateful for each day can help us turn our mood around in a more positive,stress-free, stress-free direction.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
There is no right or wrong way to journal, so feel free to experiment with different techniques, like brain dumps, until you find what works best for you.
If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and improve your peace of mind, try journaling. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a more calm and collected life.
Do you have any other tips for reducing stress? Let us know in the comments below.