When we stepped into another new year hoping for a fresh start, we might have taken a few resolutions too and if not, there is something that you can implement this year. Many of us are going through tough times during this pandemic era, so let’s take a step or two to make it better. One thing that you must think about starting is Journaling.
Before going into how it can help, we should know what exactly is meant by journaling. In simple words, it’s writing about your thoughts & feelings and clearly understanding them. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or depression, then it would be the best idea for you to start this right away. It not only helps you to gain control of your emotions but also improves your mental health significantly. There are many science-backed benefits of journaling. A study by Harvard Business School states that a group of people who journaled at the end of the day had better performance (rise by 25%) than people who did not journal.
It is not necessary to write with pen and paper, you can also keep a digital journal. The only motive behind journaling is to be self-aware. Try out both ways and continue with what suits you the best. You can even write a few lines if you are not willing to write a whole page.
Another effective practice is gratitude journaling. A gratitude journal helps you in keeping a positive outlook, appreciation of the things that you have in your life, and to focus on good and joy around you. The scientifically proven physical health benefits of gratitude journaling are improved heart rate, blood sugar control, decrease in diastolic blood pressure, etc. It also has a profound effect on our mental well-being and makes us feel calm which in turn helps in making better decisions for our overall welfare. There are numerous studies that showed practicing gratitude can increase your self-esteem as well as lower your stress levels.
Journaling is not something you do to just pass your time or to log all the memories, it’s an approach that has helped brilliant and wise people become better at what they do. So, the bottom line is that keeping a journal will benefit you in the long run. Maintaining a journal, whether with journal prompts or any way you find comfortable is a powerful technique to support you mentally, physically, and emotionally. This helps in building your mental resilience and allows you to see all your hardships as a way to grow and betterment.
