Wellness Wednesday- Why Journaling Is Rad

Journaling or keeping diaries is a practice that can be traced back to 10th century Japan. I have been journaling ever since I received my first diary on my thirteenth birthday. I am thirty-seven now and I cannot imagine my life without journaling. I dedicate a special notebook to be my journal, and try to write daily for as long as I need. It is truly the best therapy for me. Where else can you find a confidant who is non-judgmental, all accepting, always available to listen and who is willing to keep your secrets safe for forever and ever? I always feel cleansed and balanced after I write an entry. Like I boxed up a bunch of old thoughts that don’t serve me anymore and donated them to the thought Goodwill. After unloading my “boxes” my mind is clear and I can focus on other things.

Journaling is an amazing life tool that can help you reach your self-discovery and personal growth goals. It has such a positive impact on your overall well-being. A consistent writing practice allows you to take your negative energy and turn it into positive, creative energy. The more you write, the more you will have the ability to reflect back on the past to see how far you have come, or to confirm that you will always make it out of a gloomy state of mind. Being able to track your thoughts, feelings, failures and successes will help you to recognize patterns so that you can make the necessary changes to become the person that you want to be.

In addition to the mental health benefits, journaling also offers a number of physical health benefits. James Pennebaker, who is a psychologist and researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, conducted a study around journaling. He found that a regular journal practice strengthens T-lymphocytes which are immune cells. It can also decrease symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Pennebaker believes that regularly writing about your thoughts, fears and feelings helps you to come to terms with them. Journaling acts as a stress-relieving tool thus having a positive impact on your physical health.

Confused about where to start? Don’t be. Journaling is very flexible. You can use a piece of scrap paper and one of those tiny pencils you walked out of the mini golf place with. You can buy a beautiful leather bound notebook and use a fancy pen. You can type out your thoughts in Google Docs or Word. There are even apps dedicated to journaling. I have used Day One in the past and really like it. Journey and Momento are also worth mentioning. It’s really up to you. So use whatever makes you the happiest and motivates you to write. Try to make it a daily habit by scheduling a certain time of day to journal and stick to it. Don’t rush things. Sit and take time to reflect. But also, don’t think too hard about what you are going to write. The point is to get your thoughts out of your head just the way they are. You are not being graded or judged so just let it flow. You can write two sentences or you can write for twenty minutes. There are no rules when it comes to journaling. Just positive vibes and awesome benefits.

Do you have a journal practice? Tell me about it.