Writing in a journal might not seem like something that’s for everyone, but today we’ll talk about why it is. In fact, the act of writing in a journal holds many benefits you might not have known about and we’re going to discuss them. We know how writing in a journal can be daunting or unnecessary – even authors who work on entire novels disregard the idea of daily diaries at times. However, there is more to a diary than simply writing down what happened that day or how you feel. Let’s talk about just why you should start journaling on a regular basis.
It Has A Significant Impact On Your Mental Health
How can writing in a journal impact your mental health? Well, it turns out that this simple practice can do a lot – especially for those who struggle with mental illness. Journaling can help by applying the analytical, rational left side of the brain. While your left hemisphere is occupied, your right hemisphere (the creative, emotional side) is free to wander. Allowing your creativity to flow and expand can have a cathartic effect and make a difference in your daily well-being. Journaling has been found to boost your mood, enhance a person’s sense of well-being, reduce symptoms of depression before an important event, and improve your memory. Writing can help enhance our mental health by guiding us towards confronting emotions and processing difficult events. On top of all that, it can make a person more aware and help them detect unhealthy patterns in their thoughts, allowing them to shift from a negative mindset to a more positive one.
It Will Improve Your Writing
Keeping a journal and writing in it regularly will help you improve your writing. By writing often, you’ll naturally gravitate towards new words to better express yourself. You might not notice it at first, but with time, you’ll see it more and more.
It Reduces Stress
Writing down your feelings is a kind of release that can be very cleansing. If you’re able to put all your anxieties, frustrations, and pains on paper, you’re less likely to carry them inside. Expressing yourself in a diary is a positive way to free all that tension you might be internalizing.
It Improves Your Memory
As we’ve mentioned, writing will help your memory. Writing down anything from your day – ideas, thoughts, or anything else – will help your brain store that information more effectively. If you happen to learn something new, a diary is where you should store the details. In fact, writing anything down will help you remember it better.
It Helps You Understand Yourself Better
While many people tend to avoid keeping journals, it’s something more people should start doing. Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and more on a regular basis will allow you to figure yourself out in a deeper way. You’ll have an easier time understanding what you want, how you feel, and what is on your mind the most. Don’t fret, however, if you don’t feel like it’s working, take it easy. The more you journal, the more you’ll figure it out – it simply takes time.