There are plenty of research studies that support journaling exercises. There are many benefits to it, journaling can reduce stress, and anxiety, and lower your blood pressure. Why? Well, we think of many thoughts throughout the day whether it’s past memories, the future, the now, what we need to get done, what we have done already, certain situations, some situations that make us feel stressed, etc. Just like we clean our spaces, we need to do the same for our bodies, including our minds. There’s so much going on in our heads which makes decluttering necessary. Journaling is one way to do so.
Not only does journaling reduce stress, but it also gives us the space we need to release certain thoughts that we may not be able to express through verbal communication. In addition to this, it can also help us reach solutions, who doesn’t love that? Writing out a problem to come to a solution sounds like a sweet meditation practice. In understanding a problem by writing it down, we can then proceed to the next step which is finding a solution. Lastly, journaling helps you grow into self discovery. Who knows maybe you can find something out about yourself through journaling that you didn't know about yourself before.
At Powered by Action we encourage engagement and self-discovery. We have communities you can interact with but we also encourage you to have some inner conversations and dialogue with yourself. Because once you heal your negative thoughts and emotions into positive ones, you are more likely to succeed. We know these changes don’t happen overnight, that's why we help bring to you the tools you need to make these changes. That’s why we created our journaling feature just for you. You can find it on the home page. For laptop users its on the menu to the left of the screen. On mobile, it's on the hamburger menu once you tap it on the top left of your home screen. Journaling is a tool for you and your eyes only. Make it into your own personal sanctuary.
Give it a try if you haven't done so already. Let’s start with simple prompts.
How are you feeling right now? Where are you? Who are you with?
Then label these emotions from the good to the bad.
Come back to this from the morning and night and add to the prompt. This will help you be more in touch with your body and connect with your surroundings. What’s great about our journal features is that you can upload a photo instantly! It’s a safe space for you to get creative.
David Giard, one of our consultants who is working toward his PsyD in Clinical Psychology, shares with us some tips and resources for you...
"Remember, there is no one right way to journal. Experiment with a few different ways, notice what feels right for you, and try to make whatever way you choose a habit. Journaling has been shown to help with many mental health symptoms. For example, simply writing down three things you are grateful for each night before bed can help increase positive emotions, and over time even lead to changes in your brain. Sometimes, journaling can bring up some emotions that are difficult to process or overwhelming. This doesn’t mean you did anything wrong, just that some support might be needed of helpful. If you feel like you need some help, please reach out to a mental health professional."
Here are some resources to get you started.
If you're on your smartphone download the Heart and Health app by MyOwnDoctor, start by filling out the information listed on their website here, to receive an invitation to the online community of resources and tips to keep you in great health!
If you need any additional resources click the links below: