As teenagers, many of us likely kept a journal at one point or another, but what we probably didn’t know is that journaling offers a number of mental and emotional benefits. Here are five solid reasons why you may want to start journaling:
5) STRESS RELIEF – Journaling is a natural stress reliever. As teenagers, we often encountered hard days at school with our teachers or our friends, and what did we do? We came home and wrote about them! A journal is a perfect companion; it always listens, and never interrupts. No matter how many thoughts you have in your head, your journal will hear them all, so relieve yourself of any stress, anger, or turmoil. Putting it on the page helps get it out of our heads.
4) BRAIN FUNCTION – Keeping a journal can improve one’s brain in a number of ways. For one thing, it improves IQ and increases vocabulary. According to the University of Victoria, “Writing as part of language learning has a positive correlation with intelligence.” Journaling also invokes mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and boosts one’s mental comprehension.
3) SELF-CONFIDENCE – Journaling about positive events can reaffirm good thoughts and feelings. The benefit is two-fold: you receive a boost when you relive the experience by writing it down, and then you can refer to the anecdote at a later time when you need a kick of confidence.
2) WRITTEN MEDITATION – Journaling puts one in a meditative state. Writing in a journal causes our brains to focus directly on one specific thought at a time – much like we do when we’re mentally meditating. The process can inherently aid concentration, potentially halting dementia, Alzheimer’s, and related problems that limit brain function.
1) REFLECTION – A journal is a like a personal psychologist. When we relay our thoughts on paper, we are able to garner a clearer vision of anything that’s occurred throughout the day. We can appropriately identify negative thoughts and work towards finding potential solutions. Sometimes, situations are blown out of proportion in one’s head. Seeing them on paper allows us to view them and read them regularly to garner a clearer understanding of the circumstances. In turn, we become calmer and more productive.
