Mental health is an issue many people struggle with. It can be a problematic and isolating journey, as it often feels like no one understands what you’re going through. However, we are not alone in this battle. Mental health affects 1 in 4 people. Journaling like stream of consciousness journaling has been clinically shown to help improve mental health and well-being by giving individuals a space to express themselves and feel that they may be too inhibited to communicate verbally. Here are some ways how journaling can help your mental health:
IMPROVES EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Journaling can help improve emotional intelligence. Journaling can be a powerful tool for healing and self-growth, but it requires courage. When you write about your emotions, you allow yourself to get in touch with your feelings. Often, we avoid our true feelings because it’s uncomfortable or we’re afraid of how others will react. Journaling enables us to address the complex topics we may be struggling with and face them head-on rather than pushing them aside. Writing down these emotions can help us process and move through them more effectively.
IT HELPS WITH YOUR CREATIVITY
Many people say that journaling is one of the best ways to improve creativity. Journaling is an excellent way for our minds to relax and explore new ideas. You may find that you’ve been holding back specific thoughts or feelings because you were afraid of what others would think or because you didn’t know how to articulate your thoughts. With a journal, these thoughts and feelings can be expressed without worry. This can lead to relief and a greater sense of well-being as it allows you to be more open with yourself.
HELPS WITH PROBLEM-SOLVING
Journaling is a great way to develop creative ideas for solving problems. It can be a process of trial and error, which may seem tedious at first but can help you find a solution that works for you. Journaling is a form of expression. It’s a way to get things off your chest, whether feelings or frustrations, which can help you with problem-solving. Journaling can also be an excellent way to document progress and make plans for the future. You can set goals and identify what needs to be done to reach them.
IT GIVES YOU A SPACE TO EXPRESS THINGS YOU COULDN’T SAY ALOUD
People with mental illnesses often have difficulty communicating their feelings and thoughts. Journaling can give you a space to express things you couldn’t say out loud, and it will provide an outlet for your thoughts. You may feel that you are exaggerating or being dramatic when you journal, but the act of writing allows us to explore our feelings in a new way, which is critical for someone with a mental illness. Sometimes the simple act of writing about what’s going on in your head can help you gain a new perspective on your issues.
ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
One of the main benefits of journaling is that it allows us to communicate with our subconscious mind. Our subconscious thought processes are so robust and have the power to shape our lives, but we often don’t know what they are. Journaling is a way for us to get in touch with these thoughts that may be causing us problems. Journaling can help us identify patterns in our lives and learn about ourselves, allowing for self-development. This process can lead to an increased sense of self-worth, a better understanding of oneself, and a reduction in mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
CONCLUSION
Journaling is a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional intelligence. It can be an effective way to express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It can also be a space for dialogue with your subconscious mind. Journaling is an excellent tool for improving emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Other means of expressing your thoughts can be found here.