Putting Pen to Paper - 3 (More) Huge Benefits of Journaling

If you're like most people, you've likely tried to keep a journal at some point in your life, and if you're like most people, you likely gave up or forgot about it. What you might not realize is that journaling is far more than just a fun hobby. It's also a powerful tool for improving your mental, physical, and emotional health. Here are the three biggest reasons to pick that pen back up.

Benefits of Journaling

1. Journaling is great for your mental health.

Journaling is one of the best ways to deal with stress and can even help you manage anxiety and depression symptoms. Journaling is also a great medium to practice mindfulness and positive self-talk.

2. Keeping a journal can make you more productive.

Keeping a daily journal can help you clarify your ultimate goals and values and ensure that you're working toward them. Writing is also one of the best ways to work through problems and get out your worries so that you can stop dwelling on them. The practice of clearing your mind enhances productivity by allowing you to focus better.

3. Daily writing may stop you from getting sick.

Some studies have shown that patients with chronic conditions saw increased immune functioning after picking up a daily journal habit. Even if these results are not entirely generalizable, we do know that stress weakens your immune system, so reducing stress through journaling can't hurt.

How to Start Journaling

If you're interested in starting a journal, all you need is a notebook and a pen or a digital app. The best way to start journaling is just to start journaling. That may sound redundant, but many prospective writers have driven themselves crazy worrying about what, where, and how to write.?

Let all that go. Your journal is a tool for you to just dump anything that's on your mind. If you're facing writer's block, try one of the following suggestions:

• Set a timer for five minutes and write absolutely anything that comes to mind. Free writing is an amazing way to clear your mind.
• Write about things that you're grateful for.
• Write down one thing per day that made you smile, or summarize the high and low points of the day.
• Explore your future aspirations with a mind map and jot down steps you took each day to achieve your goals.

If you're really struggling, you can also consider purchasing a guided journal, which will have prompts to get you started each day. The most important thing is that you write a little every day so that it will become a habit.

At Talent Gravity, we believe that taking care of yourself is necessary to achieve greater success and fulfillment. For information about how you can stay inspired in your career, get in touch with us today.