Health Benefits of Journaling
“Journaling is mindfulness in motion,” according to Lisann Valentin, a Shamic life coach, and can be your best wellness tool to ease stress and offer opportunities for self-discovery. When negative or worrisome thoughts become overwhelming, journaling can help separate the thoughts and emotions and bring clarity in understanding the feelings in a more objective way. Journal is especially helpful when providing support for someone living with dementia to help decrease feelings of depression or anxiety.
Below are other benefits of journaling and tips on staying motivated to develop a routine to process emotions through writing:
- People who expressing gratitude through journaling have been shown to be happier people. Try naming three things you are grateful for, write the story of your life in six words, or write about three wishes you have. This is a good start to begin discovering and learning more about yourself.
- Writing down thoughts, ideas, hopes and concerns can help lead you to the next step. Self- awareness creates growth and can lessen the feeling of powerlessness.
- According to a 2018 research review, writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings can lower blood pressure, improve mood, and create a sense of well-being.
- Setting a timer for just one or two minutes a day for your journaling can help you get started, or begin the day with a few thoughts before you even get out of bed!
- Whether you use your laptop, a note-taking app on your phone, or using pen and paper, finding the easiest method to incorporate journaling into your daily routine is key.
In a nutshell, journaling provides a concrete method for learning and identifying what we need!
If you would like more information on our Memory Ministry, Memory Café, or our Family and Friends Workshops, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@firstumc.org.