Ever find yourself stuck with a thought that is bothering you? Or are you constantly thinking about things you can’t control? Or maybe you just want to improve yourself for the better without too much work.
Well, journaling might be for you! And there are multiple benefits to journaling that is even backed up by science. It’s quite surprising that simple writing can be this therapeutic. So what are the benefits, if you may ask?
Here are 8 benefits of journaling for your overall well being.
Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
With today’s online world and the pressures of fast-paced result-driven society, a lot of people are trapped to show accomplishments. People are frustrated that it even creates anxiety and depression for some. And this slowly creeps in your system.
Journaling can help alleviate that tension. According to a study, journaling can reduce anxiety and depression. And it can reduce the frequency of intrusive and depressive thoughts, even with those diagnosed with a Major Depressive Disorder.
It allows your negative thoughts to be flushed out of your system and put into paper. And you can then see it in a third-person perspective. Maybe you can even analyze it in a more logical sense. But what’s important is that you’ve let it out and did not suppress it.
Understand Yourself Better
Do you know yourself? It’s a silly question but a lot of us haven’t spent time on the inside. That’s probably why we don’t get in touch with who we truly are.
Journaling helps you tap your inner self to know what really matters for you. It brings you into awareness of what you want in your life. It allows you to self-reflect, and step back for a moment. And find the things that you are genuinely thankful for. In return, it can improve yourself for the better.
Organize Thoughts for Your Goals
If you want to achieve your goals, it should be planned. But did you ever experience having too many ideas going on? Where your mind can’t seem to know what to do first because your thoughts are scattered with too many opportunities or to-dos?
Well, it’s time to journal! It can help you write down all your ideas in one place. And afterwards, you can brainstorm which you should do first. You can organize things that should be clustered together. And you can write down ideas that can be useful in the future.
In this way, you can focus on what truly matters.
Process Your Emotions and Life Experiences
You might be feeling quite sad or angry about something or some life experience. Sometimes, the pent up emotions feed us negative thoughts. These negative emotions will cost not only our physical health but also our emotional and mental well being. Journaling can help you ease that pain.
You can write down what you feel at the rawest form. Write it all down. Take it all out. Lash out your emotions. Show your frustrations.
And when all is done, stop and reread it. Try to make sense out of it. And you’ll be surprised at how it can be lighter to your heart.
Improves Your Immune System
Do you want to strengthen your immune system? Surprisingly, studies have shown that expressive writing can actually do that.
In a study, journaling for 20 minutes a day reduced blood pressure, improved lung function, and improved liver function.
It developed a person’s “coherent narrative.” It’s where a person assimilated the experiences they had in their life into their overall picture of themselves. It allows these experiences to make sense in the grander scheme of things that lessens their triggers. And it alleviates their physical health problems.
Boost Memory
If you want to learn more and strengthen your memory, writing down your thoughts is one way to go. By journaling, you can make information retention stronger. And with this, you can recall past events and information along the way.
Inspires Creativity
A brilliant idea is one-step away to make you succeed. But it’s hard to have that eureka moment you are longing for. And journaling can help you find that idea.
Write down all the ideas you have regardless if it makes sense or not. Out of the hundreds you have written, your brain will probably find more ways to connect the information it has on a subconscious level. And this inspiration and creativity will flow through before you know it.
Conclusion
Are you ready to change your life for the better? You can do it one word at a time with journaling! It’s quite easy, just follow these 9 tips on how to start and take advantage of journaling.
With the benefits above, I hope you get to live a better life moving forwards! Good luck!
