Journal Writing For Stress Relief

Journal Writing Ideas For Stress Reduction!

I believe using a journal to help with stress reduction is a simple, yet powerful tool. It has been about 5 or 6 years that I have been using journalling and it has definitely been a way to help me with stress relief. 

What I have experienced about keeping a journal is it is an excellent way to practice natural stress relief. The journal provides a lot of purposes, from letting you release all those bottled-up emotions and feelings, to finding what is causing your stress.

Here are some things to know about journal writing for stress relief.

How a Journal Can Help

Journaling is something often done for a wide range of reasons. People might write notes in their journal to figure out what is causing their anxiety or depressive episodes, for self improvement and personal development, or simply to make record of each day.

When you have stress, journaling helps by identifying what is causing your stress. It can also help you to release some of the emotions and feelings you have without feeling like you are burdening other people in your life. This has been one of the most important things I have experienced with journaling. If something is bothering you but you don’t feel comfortable talking about it with friends or loved ones, make note of it in your journal instead.

Different Types of Journaling Techniques

You can use different types of journaling techniques as well. The first way is by simply recording your emotions on a daily basis. This can be with a feelings log where you use short words or phrases to record how you feel at different times of the day.

When you have a day with a lot of negative words or sad face symbols, you know to look more into what was going on during that day. Another way to use it is by talking about what you have been doing each day, then look back on it and reflect who or what was causing your stress.

You may want to use powerful questions as a way to draw out your feelings. What I have found in stressful situations is that the feelings are not obvious because of the stress and by using questions and then allowing yourself to write freely your answer. It has been a tremendous help and it might be the same for you. 

Give a Bullet Journal a Try

A bullet journal is another popular way to find stress relief through journaling. With a bullet journal, you are doing very quick journaling with signifiers, also called symbols.

You also use some different words or phrases to describe your feelings or what you are doing. By starting a bullet journal, you are not just putting your thoughts on paper, but you are also using it to keep track of your finances, life goals, business tasks, and to-do lists. This helps to get some of your daily stress out of your head since it lets you live a more organized life.

Use the Journal Regularly

Make sure when you start journaling for stress relief, you use it on a regular basis. Preferably, you will make notes in the journal every day, but a few times a week can also be beneficial. Choose one that is small enough to keep in your purse, briefcase, or a special compartment in your vehicle so that it is always available.

I have used both a journal where I use pen & paper and an online version. What I have found is that both are beneficial depending on the level of stress. When my mother died I used a pen & paper journal for a whole year. It was a way to truly and deeply connect with the emotion of her death and allowed me to move through my deep grief.  My online journal is a tool I use on a day to day method and I find it to be a good way to record my feelings of both stress and my accomplishements. 

Either way journal writing for stress relief is a powerful tool to not only express your stress but get to the root of it and work your way to a calmer state of mind. 

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