An easy tip to help with your mental health and you don’t even need to see a therapist for this one!

What is Journaling?

A written record of your thoughts and feelings. However, the way someone records their feelings does not have any rules. You can write in full sentences, with bullet points, or pictures! Drawing it out can also be extremely effective!

What are the benefits of Journaling?

The human brain is amazing! Journaling can essentially create “mental space” because instead of holding something in your mind, you literally transfer the thoughts to the paper. Overtime, the brain learns that there is no need to hold those thoughts anymore, thus leaving room to think about more helpful thoughts.

Journaling on regular intervals can help with managing anxiety, reducing stress, make sense of what is bothering us, problem solve, and track our progress over time. Overtime, it can lead to a self- reflection of our growth that creates gratitude.

What are the rules of Journaling?

There are none! This is your space and place to be as creative as you want to be. Find what fits your personality. Some like to handwrite in a notebook and a special pen while others like to type on their computer or cell phone.

Further, you can journal about any topic on your mind. Some people like to write about their day and their worries. Some make a list of pros and cons to help them with a big decision. Some other topics to write or draw about:

• Happy memories
• Goals
• Questions about life
• A letter to self with tips to remember in the future. This can be something you look back on for when you’re not feeling so good one day.
• Things that make you feel grateful
• Anything you would like get off your chest
• The desires of your heart
• And the list goes on….to anything you can imagine!

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month and Happy Journaling from the team at Next STEPS Worldwide 😊😊😊😊