The Benefits of Journaling

Studies suggest that journaling can strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure and aid in sleep quality. It has been shown that reflective journaling can reduce anxiety, depression and stress, mainly when your journaling is structured around other therapeutic techniques as CBT — cognitive behavioural therapy.

Perhaps one of the best benefits of journaling is that it can help reduce the amount of time spent in rumination and provides the space for methodical planning and action-taking. Journaling can also be done by showing gratitude, which is another potent tool for mental and emotional well-being.

I began journaling a few years ago, and I stumbled across its therapeutic benefits accidentally. I started writing in a journal to document my experiences travelling through unconventional parts of the world. But little did I know, I had stumbled across a habit that would transform the way I process my mental and emotional life.

My hot tips for starting a journal;

• Throw perfectionistic tendencies out the window. A journal doesn’t have to be neat or structured. It’s for your reference only.
• Be genuine about how you feel and write about it. No one is watching. This is your safe haven where you get to express your thoughts and emotions fully.
• Use journaling as a way to have a conversation with yourself. Ask yourself questions, and answer them as you write. It is an interactive experience between you and yourself.
• Don’t overthink it — Just write ffs.