5 Life-Changing Benefits of Journaling
Would you believe me if I told you that the simple act of writing your thoughts down on paper can actually make you healthier?
I promise it's true...
The benefits of journaling on your mental and even physical health have been well documented over the years - from decreased symptoms of asthma and arthritis to better cognitive functioning and immune response - the benefits of journaling are undeniable.
So let's talk about 5 of the most amazing and life-changing benefits of journaling:
LESS STRESS + ANXIETY
Journaling allows you to write things down and get them out of your head. Sometimes just feeling like you need to remember all the things, can lead to a ton of stress. Getting things on paper free's up so much space in your mind, which in turn reduces anxiety and stress.
It also allows you to problem-solve difficult challenges. Many times it's easier to hash out a solution to a big problem when you write it down on paper.
Another way in which journaling can help with stress and anxiety is by helping you process difficult or traumatic events. By writing out your feelings, you release some of the emotion involved by engaging both hemispheres of the brain.
INCREASED SELF AWARENESS
Journaling allows you to clarify your thoughts and feelings, giving you valuable insight and self-awareness. Through keeping up with a daily journaling practice, you're constantly checking in with yourself to observe how you are feeling and how you change and grow. By acknowledging and owning your feelings day-to-day, you'll ultimately become more self-aware.
STRENGTHENED MEMORY
Have you ever noticed how you're able to recall memories more easily after you write them down? Research shows that becoming more self-aware and allowing your thoughts and experiences to manifest and flow onto paper help to strengthen your memory. One example of this is with a dream journal. Many people report after writing down their dreams regularly by keeping a dream journal, that over time they are able to more easily recall what happened in their dreams.
IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS + EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Emotional intelligence is defined as "the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically."
For many of us, talking about our feelings with someone else can be quite uncomfortable to say the least. But expressing our feelings on paper allows us to practice expressing our inner thoughts without the risk of having someone else judge us, or saying the wrong thing. This makes sharing your feelings with others easier over time.
Another way in which journaling can improve your relationships is by writing down what we are thankful for in something like a gratitude journal. By focusing on the aspects in our life we are grateful for (including our relationships) we begin to approach the world and our relationships from a place of love.
INCREASED ORGANIZATION AND PRODUCTIVITY
This is my favorite way to use journaling to improve my life. Getting all my to-do's, appointments, and ideas out of my head and onto a piece of (digital) paper that is organized and easy to use allows me to not only reduce my stress but be more productive because everything is organized and well thought out. And by keeping track of your goals both in the short term and in the long term, you are more likely to manifest them in real life.
There are so many ways to incorporate journaling into your daily routine, it doesn't necessarily need to be a diary-type journal. You can get many of the benefits mentioned above by keeping a planner, a gratitude journal, or by using an app like Journi to keep track of your adventures. Anywhere that you can let your inner thoughts out of your head by putting them on paper is a great option. We've even designed a new memory planner that serves as a cross between a journal, a planner, and a scrapbook that you can print out at the end of the year so you can see your progress over time!
No matter which option you choose, I'm confident that if you stick with it you'll see the many wonderful benefits journaling can bring to your life!
