I barely remember the last time I’ve written the words “Dear Diary” followed by what happened or what I felt on a particular day. It’s an activity I thought was only good when you’re young; however, my self-care journey told me otherwise.

In fact, there’s a good connection between journaling and mental health. When you’re writing down your thoughts, it creates a space that lets you confess your fears and dilemmas without being judged. It’s like a safe zone for you to let your feelings and thoughts out.

And if you’re looking for ways to reduce stress and anxiety, having a journal is a great idea.If you’re new to it and you don’t know what to write, you can easily look for journaling prompts online.Meanwhile, grab a cup of your favorite tea and read some health benefits of journaling:

Journaling For Mental Health

Reduce Stress And Anxiety

Stress can bring a couple of benefits; however, if your body and mind are struggling from it for a long time, it can be detrimental to your health.As mentioned above, journaling can combat stress and anxiety. It’s a healthy habit that can let you express your thoughts and emotions, thus freeing your mind when you feel overwhelmed.It’s simple and you can easily incorporate this into your daily routine. If you’re busy, even a 5-minute journal before bedtime can help not only reduce stress but also, regulate blood pressure and support liver function.

Keeps Memory Sharp

When you’re a busy woman, there’s a tendency for you to forget things almost immediately, and that’s when having a journal becomes more beneficial.When you write, you let your mind consolidate ideas and memories and over time, it helps boost your memory and comprehension. It also enhances your ability to recall memories quicker so if you want to keep your mind in shape, this is a good alternative.

Boosts Mood

Journaling works wonders, especially in improving your mood. It helps you track everyday emotions so you can recognize what triggers your anxiety, anger, or other feelings and find the best ways to manage them.Writing down also creates an opportunity to determine negative behavior and thoughts while also opening a door for positive self-talk.An outlet where you can express yourself without the fear of being punished and judged can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Support Immune Function

Journaling is not only good for mental health it’s also the least expensive way to strengthen the immune system. It’s also beneficial for anyone struggling with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis according to a source.This concept may sound weird and new but releasing your emotions can reduce stress, which by the way decreases the level of cortisol. In case you didn’t know, this stress hormone can affect various systems, such as the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

Know Yourself Better

When you make writing a part of your routine, you get to know what makes you happy, sad, or confident. You determine what situations or kinds of people overwhelm you and this helps you learn more about yourself.This information is crucial for the improvement of your emotional and mental well-being.Journaling indeed has tons of benefits but keep in mind that self-care can come in different forms. Some people can vouch for writing their emotions and thoughts down while others may view this activity differently. Nonetheless, you can always explore options to find the one that suits your lifestyle and personality well.Also, you can get the most benefits of journaling by incorporating other self-care activities, such as:

• Meditation
• Drinking a cup of tea or coffee
• Having a balanced diet
• Exercising regularly
• Sleeping

Have anything to add? If yes, feel free to drop it in the comment box below.