Journaling
Journaling had its comeback in the last few decades. Tracking down thoughts, worries, and daily tasks is not exclusively for scientists or artists!
Don't be afraid to fetch a nice notebook and get a few minutes for yourself in the comfort of your home when everybody's fed, dressed, and ready for bed! HolisticLiving gets you, and here is the list of our top tips for adopting the habit of journaling!
Paper can carry everything you can't, at least at the moment. Release yourself from the constant tension of trying to please and start writing. There are no wrong answers; leave the written paragraphs even if they seem pointless or completely random.
If you're clueless about how to start a journal, try writing down three things you feel grateful for each night before bedtime.
The content of your journal is entirely up to you! Lists of priorities, brain maps, statements of gratitude, or even a list of everything you wanted to say during an argument, but you choose not to...Set it free!
Visualization is a potent tool: once you have it all out of your system, you'll be prepared to tackle it!
Do not despair if you don't feel like writing a few days in a row! Just continue when you feel ready again.
In Numbers
Researchers Karen A. Baikie and Kay Wilhelm report, those who journaled for 20 minutes per day on 3-5 occasions saw the following benefit: fewer stress-related visits to the doctor
Another team of researchers found that those with various medical conditions and anxiety who wrote for 15 minutes, 3 days a week over a 12-week period had increased feelings of well-being and fewer depressive symptoms after 1 month. Their mental well-being continued to improve during the 12 weeks of journaling
“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself. The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me as emotionally and spiritually independent. Therefore (alas) it does not simply record my actual, daily life but rather — in many cases — offers an alternative to it.” –Susan Sontag, author
*Content and products on Holistic Living are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
