Journaling For Stress Relief
In earlier generations it was common to keep a diary or a personal journal. However, today few people do it and very few recognize the value and astonishing power of keeping a journal. Writing down your feelings in a personal journal is a long known stress reliever. In addition to recording your thoughts and troubles, a journal is a great place to state your goals for self improvement. Here are just a few of the benefits of keeping a journal:
A journal can become a refuge where we rest and recover from the latest blows that life throws our way.
Journaling can help you work through stressful events without the fear of social consequences. You can journal about things that you don't want to discuss with friends or family members.
Journaling nurtures your spirituality and taps into your unconscious mind. Ultimately, this connection can reduce stress and keep you healthy.
Journaling is a healthy way to release pent-up emotions. A blank page is a safe place to dump anger and frustrations without hurting anyone. Releasing your feelings on the page may actually help them subside.
A journal will simplify your life. Spending as little as 10 minutes a day with pen and paper describing your values, setting goals, noting your achievements and giving thanks for the joys of life will make it easier to handle life's distractions. Things become much simpler when you write them down.
Journaling helps you to be quiet. Journalizing has been called a form of meditation. It has a similar power to quiet the mind and focus your thoughts. It can heal anxiety, change your breathing and make you smile!
Recent research shows that the simple act of writing down thoughts and feelings can help people with chronic illness improve their health. The April 14th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis who wrote about stressful experiences in their lives actually experienced reduced symptoms. Previous studies of healthy subjects who perform similar writing exercises showed positive changes in various health measures, including blood pressure, immune function and a greater sense of well being.
Here are a few ideas and suggestions to get you started writing:
Write daily. Pick a place that you are comfortable with - a desk, a chair, nook, cranny or wherever. Go to this spot everyday when you are going to write and always try to write about the same time each day.
Turn the daily writing into a ritual. Choose a special journal to write in. Always write with the same pen, one that feels good to you.
Pay attention to where you are. Use your journal to capture the sounds and smells of the present.
Write down whatever comes to mind whether it is in the present, the distant past or the future. Don't deny whatever comes up as you are writing no matter how silly it may seem. You remembered it for a reason.
Use your journal to explore powerful emotions. This is very helpful for coming to terms with the roots of your feelings and their impact on your life.
Don't judge your daily writing as either good or bad.
Try to remember your dreams and write about them. Your dreams will tell you another story of your life if you will listen.
While we can learn a great deal from others, often the most essential wisdom comes from within. When you put pen to paper with an open mind and heart, you may find you have shared things you didn't even know you had to say. Try it for 30 days and watch it transform your life!
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Please include bio when using this article. Susan Stewart is co-founder and partner of It's My Nature, a home based Aromatherapy business in Florence, Oregon. Providing dried herbs, essential oils and many unique products. Catering to the beginner with small sizes, recipes and an informative monthly newsletter. See It's My Nature's large, informative website at http://itsmynature.net or a catalog is available by calling 1-888-445-5051. |
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Aromatherapy for Stress Relief at Work
Balance Your Life For Stress Relief
Using Your Intuition For Stress Relief
Ease the Stress with Aromatherapy Massage
Seasonal Affective Disorder and What You Can Do About It
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