Stress is everywhere nowadays. Between work, school and home, there’s no escaping it. So, what’s a person supposed to do? Since you can’t escape it, it’s important for you to find a way to relieve it. Keeping a journal is an excellent way to practice natural stress relief. Journaling provides a lot of benefits, from letting you release all those bottled-up emotions and feelings, to aiding in your self-discovery and helping you pinpoint the cause of your stress. Here are some things to consider when journaling for stress relief.
How a Journal Can Help
People journal for so many reasons. Things like:
Figuring out what’s causing anxiety
Uncovering the roots of depressive episodes
Self-Improvement/personal development
Keeping a record of daily events
I myself am a journal junkie and I can definitely attest to the fact that when you’re stressed, the act of putting pen to paper and keeping a journal can help you get out the feelings inside without having to feel like you’re burdening the people in your life.
It allows you to express yourself fully especially if you’re journaling about an issue that you don’t feel comfortable discussing with your loved ones. Monitoring your feelings and moods in your journal can help you see patterns which makes it easier to see what situations or individuals may trigger your stress response.
It’s important not to worry about things such as grammar or spelling when you’re journaling for stress relief – express yourself in the way that feels most comfortable to you as more than likely you won’t be sharing your journal with anyone else.
Different Types of Journaling Techniques
There are lots of different journaling techniques you can try. Here are some popular methods:
One way is by simply recording your emotions daily. You can use a mood tracker or a feelings log where you use short words, phrases or colors to record how you feel at different times during a day.
When there’s a day with a lot of negative words, sad colors or symbols, it’s important to explore more into what was happening that day to uncover any patterns of stress.
Another way of journaling to relieve your stress is writing out a letter (that will never be sent) to someone or even a situation that has caused stress in your life. Tell them how they make you feel. This allows you to release those bottled up emotions and may make it easier for you if/when you decide to talk to them in person.
A third method to try, is journaling your future. If there are things going on that are stressing you out, what will your life look like when those stressors are no longer around? How did you overcome those stressors? Writing about your future when those things are no longer stressing you out might make it easier for you to take action against your stress.
Give Bullet Journaling a Try
Bullet journaling is all the rage these days and can be a great stress reliever. With a bullet journal, you can quickly journal with symbols. You also use words or phrases to describe your feelings or what you are doing. Many people use their bullet journals to not just put on paper, but also it to keep track of finances, life goals, business tasks and to-do lists. This helps to get some of your daily stress out of your head because it allows to you be more organized in your daily life.
Use your Journal Regularly
When it comes to journaling for stress relief, consistency is key. Of course, it’s preferable to make notes in your journal daily, but a few times a week can also help. If you get busy and skip a few days, don’t beat yourself up about it, just pick up again where you left off. One way to help yourself journal regularly is to pick a specific time each day. Many people find that first thing in the morning or right before bedtime helps with maintaining consistency.
What method of journaling for stress relief are you going to try? Let me know in the comments section.
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a trainer, coach and consultant who believes in empowering her clients and providing the tools that they need to make positive changes in their lives. Connect with her on Instagram or Linked/In