Journaling is beneficial to your well-being

What's all the fuss about journaling?

It used to be that journaling was mostly done by teenage girls and people interested in literature (I think they're referred to as literati).

But now, it seems to be central to many self-care routines. More and more articles are highlighting the benefits of journaling.

What comes to mind when you think of journaling? Does it sound corny to you?

I'm not a natural journal keeper either. I never had a journal as a teenager, and I rarely kept one as an adult.

But after reading the scientific evidence that journaling is essentially a panacea for our fast-moving, modern lives, I'm trying to get into the habit of journaling.

Journaling has been shown to reduce stress, lead to better sleep, improve our immune systems, increase our self-confidence, help us learn more about ourselves, and boost mindfulness (that's why it goes so well with yoga).

Wow! That's an impressive list of benefits.

"I don’t journal to "be productive." I don’t do it to find great ideas or to put down prose I can later publish. The pages aren’t intended for anyone but me. It’s the most cost-effective therapy I’ve ever found.” – Tim Ferriss (author and entrepreneur)

So how do we get started with journaling? To find out, I attended a workshop on journaling.

Here are five tips for getting started with journaling:

• Keep it simple. Don't expect to sit down for an hour of journaling when you're just getting started. Instead, set yourself a timer for 5 minutes and write down whatever comes to mind. Don't censor your thoughts. At the end of the 5 minutes, notice if you feel lighter or if you feel like writing more. Increase the length of time gradually.

• Pick a medium that works for you. Writing with a pen on paper seems to be most effective. But you need to choose what works best for you. It might be typing into a Word document on your computer or using the Notes app on your phone.

• Be flexible about what to write. You could explore something that’s bothering you, write about the present moment, write a list of things you're grateful for, or respond to a journaling prompt. I'll share some prompts with you below.

• Forget rules and grammar. Don’t worry about spelling or sentence structure. Forget what other people might think if they read this. The journaling process is just for you. You don’t have to share it or even reread it.

• Be creative. You could write sentences, make lists, write a letter, make drawings, compose a song, or create a poem. Lots of possibilities. Don't limit yourself to writing full sentences but find what works for you.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L’Amour (American novelist)

Exploring what to write is often the most challenging part of getting started. So if journal prompts help you get over that initial hump, here are a few to try. If these don't resonate with you, simply google "journal prompts" and you will find lots of additional ideas.

Five journal prompts to get you started:

• Write down things you are grateful for
• Write down a few memories that made your week
• What's a goal you want to accomplish and why?
• What would you tell someone about how you feel?
• If you could tell your teenage self one thing, what would it be?

Enjoy your journaling!

Best,

Christine

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