Benefits of journaling

“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” Flannery O’Connor

We all know how important it is to make sure we are looking after our mental health, especially when juggling work and busy schedules, but did you know that one of the most beneficial ways you can support your mind and mood is through journaling? 

Benefits of journaling

Journaling is a simple way to practice mindfulness and express gratitude, and all that is required is a notebook and pen. Aside from its myriad of psychological benefits, the best part about journaling is you can make it work for you – pick a time of day that suits you, grab a cuppa, get some relaxing music going and you’re all set. 

Numerous studies have explored the health benefits of journaling, including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, a more uplifted mood, and improved general wellbeing. 

Aside from these physical health benefits, journaling is a really helpful tool to improve your mental health and psychological wellbeing. Expressing gratitude or writing down the emotions and thoughts swirling around in your mind can help provide clarity, distance from challenging emotions, and deepen your self discovery, not to mention clear your mind of unwanted thoughts and spark creativity. 

Journaling is all about checking in with yourself and prioritising your own wellbeing, so you can approach it in any way you’d like, whether that is writing down what you’re grateful for, illustrating your feelings in a creative way, or simply writing down your thoughts and ideas stream-of-consciousness style. 

Journaling prompts

If you’re new to journaling or are just in need of a little inspiration to get you started, try some of the following prompts to guide your journaling practice: 

• What can I do today that my future self will thank me for? 
• What activity feels like pure joy for me, and how can I do this more often? 
• What has been weighing on your mind recently? What can you do to deal with this now? 
• Who is someone in your life that you’d like to spend more time with? 
• If you could only accomplish 3 things today, what would be the top items on your to-do list? 
• What 3 words would you use to describe your dream life? 

Journaling is a great daily habit to begin your mindfulness journey or supplement your yoga practice. To shop my candles and essential oils to help create a calm, focused environment for your practice, click here.