There is a strong connection between mindfulness and wellness. Mindfulness is the act of calling the mind to attention in the present moment, focusing on what is happening in the now. This process involves switching from passively engaging with thoughts and actively observing and experiencing them.
Journaling is a mindfulness activity with multiple benefits including processing experiences, increasing self-awareness, improving self-confidence, all of which contribute to physical and emotional healing.
Journaling has been shown to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower stress, and improve sleep. Plus, journaling can be fun, it doesn’t have to be something you add to you already long to-do list.
There are many different types of journaling including free-writing also called “stream of consciousness” writing where you just write whatever comes to mind in the moment, guided journaling where you respond to a prompt or series of prompts, and gratitude journaling where you write down things that you are grateful for.
The nice thing about journaling is that you can do this activity as often as you want whether it be daily, several times a week, or once a month. If you want to get into the habit of journaling regularly, set a realistic goal about how often you think you will be able to write. You are much more likely to stick to your goals if they are specific and attainable. If you’re really busy, setting an intention to journal every day for the next 365 days may not be viable, maybe commit to writing once a week and adjust from there.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain
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