Writing down your
thoughts, feelings, goals, aspirations on a daily basis is a dynamic tool for
self-improvement. Journaling
helps bring awareness, clarity, and discovery to your life and keeps
a record of your progress. Actually, the progress you see when you reread your
journals can be surprising even to you. You can also use journaling to vent
powerful negative emotions. Never read them again, and enjoy the relief of
release that the exercise gave you.
Journaling
All you need to
get started are pen and paper or a computer with some type of word processing.
You need an open mind, an open heart and a willingness to be honest with
yourself. Sometimes that is not as easy as it sounds. There are a number of
books and websites that can help you do this or you can take a class in
journaling at your local community college or from a person who freelances
teaching journaling classes. You don’t have to get fancy here. You don’t need
to worry about spelling, grammar or punctuation–you just need to write about
what you think, feel, want, etc.
Many think that
writing in your journal with pen or pencil serves you better because it enlists
more involvement on your part than simply typing on a keyboard. However,
if you need help or prefer to use the computer the following sites might help:
Splinterware –
Free software for keeping a daily diary
A Course in
Journaling – The Center for Journal Therapy
Benefits of Journaling
According to
the Huffington
Post there are at least 10 benefits of journaling. These include:
1. Stretching
Your IQ
A report by the University of Victoria noted that “Writing
as part of language learning has a positive correlation with
intelligence.” “One of the best single measures of overall intelligence as
measured by intelligence tests is vocabulary.”
2.
Evoking Mindfulness
There’s a strong connection between happiness and mindfulness.
Journaling brings you into that state of mindfulness; past
frustrations and future anxieties lose their edge in the present moment. It
calls a wandering mind to attention, from passivity to actively engaging with
your thoughts.
3. Achieving
Goals
Journaling often
includes your dreams and ambitions, yet the idea that scribbled words can help
achieve goals is understandably fanciful. But consider building a house without
a blueprint.
4.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to perceive and manage your emotions, and
that of others. Journaling is an outlet for processing emotions and increases
self-awareness. This internal familiarity becomes a bridge of empathy, you’ll
better intuit and understand what others are experiencing.
5. Boosting
Memory and Comprehension
There’s a unique relationship between the hand and brain, sparked by the composition of thoughts and ideas. Words are
representations of ideas; the formation of letters and causes the mind to
compose or re-compose ideas while journaling. This strengthens previously
covered information and forces you to engage in cognitive recall.
6. Strengthen
Your Self-Discipline
Setting time aside to write, whether morning or evening, is an act of
discipline. And discipline begets discipline. Like a muscle, the more you
exercise it, the stronger it becomes.
7.
Improve Communication Skills
“Writing has critical connections to speaking” according to a Stanfordreport.
Journaling is a form of written communication, albeit to oneself.
8.
Healing
Expressive writing is a route to healing — emotionally, physically, and
psychologically. Dr. James Pennebaker, author of Writing to
Heal has seen improved immune function in participants of writing
exercises.
Studies have also shown that the emotional release from
journaling lowers anxiety, stress, and induces better sleep.
9.
Spark Your Creativity
Julia
Cameron’s “Morning Pages” has become the panacea for unlocking
creativity amongst anyone and everyone. Our struggle isn’t whether we’re
creative, it’s how to let it flow.
10.
Self-Confidence
Journaling about a positive experience allows your brain to relive it. And reaffirms your abilities when the
ugly head of self-doubt appears. The release of endorphins and dopamine will
boost your self-esteem and mood. These reflections can become a catalog of
personal achievements that you continue to go back to.
Keep these in
mind, get a pen and paper or notebook and get started with your journal.
Source: https://bit.ly/3o5YLz6
No comments:
Post a Comment