While some may associate the idea of journaling with angsty teenage diary entries, the practice of writing down your thoughts has been shown to be an effective tool to support mental and emotional wellbeing, especially when used in conjunction with other healthy habits like exercise and consuming balanced, nutrient-rich meals.
The first version of the journal was actually in production in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “The world was suddenly locked inside their homes having all kinds of feelings, so my team and I launched a 30-day ‘journal with your feelings’ challenge to support people with navigating a moment filled with so much uncertainty and change. Over 40,000 people signed up in 48 hours, and for 30 days, we addressed our feelings and our fears together as a global community.
To get the most out of journaling, it should feel like a safe place to express yourself, and to be consistent with it, consider where it will fit into your day. Realistically, where do you have even just a few minutes where you can be with your thoughts? That doesn’t mean you have to get super-precious about it, though. If you find that you’re most able to get into a journaling flow on the subway on your way to work, then do what works for you. And if you only have a few moments in the morning while you eat breakfast or right before you turn off the light before bed, that’s still meaningful. Reflecting on what you wrote can be helpful but resist the urge to judge.
You can also explore a more structured approach like gratitude journaling, a form of journaling in which you write about things you are grateful for. They can be big things or small things. Studies have shown that this type of journalingWhile many journaling enthusiasts love the break that it offers from screens, electronic journaling resources have become more popular in recent years, with fitness and wellness apps including them in their offerings and new journaling-specific apps cropping up.