5 Life-Changing Benefits of Journaling

Is it just us, or is everyone talking about journaling recently? Sure, we’ve heard about it in the past, and it’s no secret that journaling can be such an incredible tool for so many things (or so they say). But we can’t help but wonder if journaling is actually that great. What does it really do for you?

So, we did what we do best and took to the internet to begin our search for knowledge. And let’s just tell you, there was A LOT to be said about journaling. With what we learned, we compiled a list of the five most compelling benefits of adding a journaling practice to your routine.

Increased Emotional and Mental Wellness

Being human can be hard! And, according to this article, journaling can possibly help with one part of that, which is emotional and mental wellness.

Journaling provides a safe space to purge your thoughts and emotions.  This article explains that having that safe space to vent and express yourself in whatever manner you see fit has various mental and emotional wellness benefits.

That article then goes on to mention that those who have a journaling practice often experience:

• Heightened emotional regulation
• Decrease in stress
• Increase in gratitude
• Increase in mindfulness
• Increase in self-confidence

Among other things, the act of journaling is even suspected to possibly help avoid burnout. Honestly, this portion alone is enough for us. Sign us up!

Improved Cognitive Function

We briefly mentioned above that journaling can be linked to decreased reported stress levels, and we wanted to explore this further. There is evidence that prolonged stress negatively impacts cognition, including memory, decision-making, concentration, and more. Sounds scary, right?

Additionally, there’s a reason why our teachers and professors always encouraged us to physically write our notes. You’ve likely even heard the phrase, “you learn what you write.” Journaling is no different and may be able to assist your working memory.

There are even some articles that claim utilizing specific journaling methods can assist with critical thinking and decision-making skills.

So far, it seems like journaling might be a one-stop shop to fix all our problems!

Improved Physical Wellness

Okay, so we’ve talked about journaling’s mental benefits, especially its ability to lower stress. But did you know that it can also impact your physical wellness? We’ve all heard about the “mind/body connection,” which absolutely plays a role in this!

The hormone released during periods of stress, called cortisol, can negatively impact your body over time. Sure, a short spurt can be helpful since a small amount of cortisol is known to limit inflammation. But, with prolonged periods of stress, the opposite begins to be true.

Journaling can help mitigate prolonged periods of stress, allowing your body to regulate itself. Over time, this regulation can even help boost your immune system.

How wild is that?!

Boost in Creativity

Are there any fellow creatives in the building? If so, you’ve likely experienced the dreaded “block.” But did you know journaling might be able to help with that?

Journaling allows you to spitball your ideas while removing your inner critic. Without the need to be perfect when creating the outline and bones for whatever project you’re working on, people have reported being able to move past the block they previously experienced.

An idea doesn’t have to be perfect to be put down on paper. It’s when we move past that idea that we move out of our perfectionism mindset that we can fully give ourselves permission to create something beautiful. And it seems like journaling can help with that.

Even Forbes is in on the creative benefits of journaling!

Helps with Productivity

Have you ever sat down to finally tackle your ever-growing to-do list, but your brain just won’t cooperate? Dealing with occasional brain fog is a normal part of the human experience. But, of course, it always seems to happen at the worst possible times.

The good news, though, is journaling can help you with that! We’ve already explored the different ways that journaling can help clear your mind. And that, in and of itself, is a huge combatant to help fend off brain fog. But it goes way beyond that.

Earlier in this article, when discussing the cognitive benefits, we briefly mentioned that journaling can help with critical thinking and decision-making. But let’s dive into that a little more.

When we journal, we can go back and read what happened to us. Since we’ve likely already processed these events and are a little more removed from the emotions and thoughts that were occurring at the moment, it becomes easier to get an almost objective perspective on your own life. This allows us to think critically rather than emotionally regarding the decisions we need to make, especially when it comes to achieving our goals.

Recording our days also gives us an incredible tool for looking back and seeing how far we’ve come, especially when it feels like we’re getting nowhere. Some claim that journaling also helps you develop an “it’s already mine” or “I want it, I got it” mentality, which can also help you be more productive.

As Idowu Koyenikan says, “where your attention goes, your time goes.” So it sounds like journaling is perfect for those wanting to spend a little more time and attention on accomplishing their goals.

In conclusion…

Whether you’re doing it for the mental or physical benefits, journaling can be a powerful tool. The power of recording your thoughts and feelings in a no judgment zone has a plethora of benefits, no matter the reason why you started.

Now we just need to find a cute new journal to start putting all those thoughts in…