Journaling for Mental Health

Author - Mari L. McCarthy
Published - September 27, 2012

mental health journalingAs you get older I have found it harder and harder to find that calm center within myself. Oftentimes we get so busy with our lives that we forget what it is to have peace. If we stay in this state for a long period of time it can lead to unhealthy living. We eat more, exercise less, and are continually stressed. Our blood pressure goes up along with our cholesterol and our relationships suffer. We pull away from friends and family, caught up in the day to day drudgery. Breaking this deleterious cycle is very hard, but it can be done. It all starts with recognizing it.

Recognizing that you are in a downward spiral is the first step to correcting it. You must become self-aware and really see what you are doing in your life. One way to do this is through journaling. By writing down your thoughts and feelings throughout the day and week you can see patterns that arise. Are you always depressed after work? Do you dread the weekends? Do you have someone in your life that brings you down, or someone that brings you up? All these questions can be answered by writing regularly in a journal.

Analyzing your journal is much easier than trying to work everything out in your head. In your brain, your thoughts and perceptions can be affected by your current emotional state and attitude. However if you write things down they cannot change. They are there in black and white. You can then look at them during different emotional periods and see the real truth. This will help to counterbalance the stresses that you are under and keep things clear.

Once you get into the regular pattern of journaling, you will find it easier and easier to write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It will become second nature to you to analyze it as well, and may reveal something that can really help you out. Journaling can be a great catharsis and enable you to move on to a stronger point in your life.

If you are under stress and feeling overwhelmed, then I recommend starting a journal. It could be just the incentive you need to get back on your feet and in a healthier state of mind.

Author Bio:

Roxanne Porter is a freelancer & a regular contributor for www.nannyjobs.org/.  She helps in providing knowledge about nanny services & love writing on nanny related articles. She helps in giving knowledge about nanny Jobs to the community. You can be in touch with her at “r.poter08ATgmail.com”.

Do you find yourself dwelling on missed opportunities? Or perhaps you're having trouble making sense of it all? Please download our free ebook, CreateWriteNow's Expert Guide to Therapeutic Journaling,  shows you journaling can provide the tools you need to achieve the happiness we all deserve.

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Are you new to journaling? Or perhaps you're an experienced journaler who wishes to restart a daily journaling practice? Our Build a Lasting Journaling Practice in 14 Days self-paced journaling course can show you how. 

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