Can Journaling Help with Stress?
Dr. Kalaba Notes the Benefits of Journaling
One way to counteract stress is to keep a gratitude journal. Even in the face of adversity, by acknowledging and writing down all the good things that are in your life, you can help yourself stay grounded in the positive and reduce the level of stress you are experiencing. Research has found that there are many benefits to writing down what you’re thankful for, including improved overall health, better sleep, and increased happiness.
- Write down 5 things for which you were grateful yesterday.
- Write down 1 nice thing you did for someone else, no matter how small it may seem.
To answer the question, can journal help with stress, the answer is a resounding, “YES!” Tips for journaling:
- Dedicate a notebook just to journaling. Do not use a computer to record your journal. There is something special about writing by hand.
- Don’t just go through the motions. Really connect with yourself and feel the emotional surge you get from the things for which you are grateful. You can even visualize the experience in your mind and express gratitude for it all over again (or in case you didn’t do so in the moment.)
- Include some detail, not just a list of items. Elaborating on why you are grateful allows you to truly explore your feelings.
- Identify at least one action that you did for yourself. This helps counteract negative self-talk. It feels good to acknowledge the positive things you do for yourself!
- Acknowledge people in your life and not just things or situations.
- Be creative. You don’t have to stick to just writing. You can draw, color, use photos, or even glue in memorabilia (movie tickets or decorative napkins, for example).
- Variety is key. Try not to focus on the same things every day. Life is truly expansive, so expand your awareness of all the good things that happen each day.
Did you know Dr. Kalaba has a line of journals on amazon. This is how powerful she believes this practice can be to adding another beneficial healing element to your life! Can journal help with stress? Yes, yes it can.
Dr. Kalaba is a chiropractor in Tucson, AZ, practicing gentle chiropractic care and providing health tips to help you live the best rest of your life.
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For someone who is experiencing these challenges, moving yourself and your health to the top of your to-do-list is very powerful and is often the catalyst to creating a transformational life experience.