You probably know that an honest conversation can relieve the symptoms of stress. In addition to a range of existing methods of stress release, one more has been added not so long ago. It involves a non-judgmental and trusted friend: a journal. Many of us have kept diaries during the adolescence and this tradition has been revived for adults: nowadays, it’s called journaling and it has amazing benefits.
What does that science say?
Many scholar studies have revealed that expressive writing for at least 20 minutes per day contributed to decreasing the level of stress and increasing positive thinking. It works just like real conversation but instead of a person you are transferring your thoughts to a journal. It’s very hard to lie to yourself in writing, so it is highly recommended by psychologists to get better acquainted with your true self.
Some psychologists often call it the ‘Bridget Jones effect.’ Remember that awesome movie where she kept a diary and wrote down everything that was happening in her life? When Bridget wrote in the diary, the sentences sounded like a genuine conversation! Plus, she was not afraid that diary would laugh and judge her. By expressing her negative emotions on paper, she could control their intensity and overcome emotional upsets.
I don’t see any reasons why you shouldn’t be able to do the same things. There are many natural ways to relax quickly but journaling is a special one because it offers so much more benefits!
What are the benefits of journaling?
Journaling allows to hone your life vision
Journaling can be implemented as a part of a morning routine. It’s a new day, and you probably want to make some plans. When you start writing, you immediately feel the need to go beyond usual stuff and explore big picture goals. Journaling thus enables you to think even further.
As you review and improve your goals daily, they will become forged into your sub-consciousness. As the result, you will develop the habit of thinking about the future.
Journaling accelerates recovery from work
Many people bring their work home. Anxiety about some complex assignment, immense workload and other work-related issues can easily ruin the evening. Without an outlet, detaching from work is a difficult thing to accomplish, so many of us fail to live presently and enjoy ourselves.
Journaling can serve as a perfect outlet for eliminating the negative impact of work. Just open your journal when you came home and write whatever sits on your mind. There is no right or wrong thing to write about, just be yourself and share your thoughts with the journal. As the result, you will treat yourself to some post-work reflection time, which is needed after a stressful day.
You can use this reflection time and completely detach from work by writing about something completely unrelated. For example, you may write about an upcoming journey to your relatives or tomorrow’s party at a friend’s.
Journaling clears the mind
Many previous studies have shown that expressive writing reduced stress and even symptoms of various diseases. This habit, if developed, can increase your focus, reduce scatter you have been experiencing, empower you to do more for yourself, connect inner thinking to real events, detach from painful and negative experiences of the past, and reevaluate the events of the past with an adult mind.
As the result, you will be able to clear your emotions and move forward.
Journaling improves learning
The benefits of this habit go well beyond usual things. By writing a journal every day, you improve your memory because writing something down increases brain development and knowledge retention. Scientists say that writing allows memory to target the most important pieces of information, thus improving its ability to retain knowledge.
Moreover, you will discover insights while you think and write about something because your mind will be fully concentrated on the process.
Journaling increases gratitude
Writing about positive things that happened to you nourishes the gratitude. When the habit of writing down good things is established, you’ll discover that your thinking starts to change. Specifically, you will learn the importance of appreciating good and positive things in life.
Gratitude is good for you because it makes you happier, develops your personality, improves sleep, increases career and self-esteem, and even lets you live longer. That’s because a major share of negativity disappears from your life. Isn’t that amazing?
Takeaway
If you wish to improve the quality of your life and be happier, consider writing a journal. It could be your honest, trusting, and non-judgmental friend that you take with yourself wherever you go. If implemented properly, journaling has a potential to transform your life and allow you to discover new sides of you that you have never thought you had.
Start journaling today and you’ll discover how amazing and happy you can be!
Michael Gorman is high skilled editor and proofreader who currently works at Proessaywriting. He is proficient in blog writing and online freelance networking. Feel free to contact him via Facebook .
