Why Everyone Should Have a Journal

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Journaling is not just something certain creative individuals do, but it should really be something everyone does. Journaling helps in so many ways, from finding triggers to your stress, to helping with physical and mental health, and of course being a creative outlet.

Here are some different reasons why everyone should journal regularly:

It Helps With Mental and Physical Health

A major benefit to writing in a journal every day is that it can help both your mental and physical health. Journaling helps you figure out what is causing your stress, lets you see why your anxiety is skyrocketing, and can help with your depression.

For physical health, journaling helps you lose weight or manage your weight, find out why you have certain ailments, and narrow down the reasons you aren’t drinking enough water each day. You can be a healthier person overall just by having a journal.  Of course, one key to this is actually to use it in this way.  I have a very hard time recording what I eat, how much water I drink, and so on.  Making it a part of a real daily routine would help combat that.

You Can Feel Safe Releasing Your Emotions

It is hard to talk to someone about what you are thinking or feeling because you are embarrassed or feel like you will be judged for it.  A journal is a good way to express all those feelings and not worry about someone reading it and then looking at you differently. In my experience, a journal can be a comforting teddy bear - always there to comfort but keeps its mouth shut and doesn't judge.

Sometimes you need to get certain things out of your mind, and keeping a private journal is the perfect way to do that.  A good brain dump everyday or at least regularly releases those pesky emotions that refuse to quiet down and drive you to distraction.

You Find Out New Things About Yourself

Keeping a journal can also help you gain more clarity into who you are and what you want out of life. Personally, I think this is the most fun.  Make it a challenge to just start writing on a page, without thinking too hard beforehand. Just start with one word and keep going.

You will be amazed by how much you learn about yourself. You may start venting about something you didn’t know bothered you so much. It is possible that it is the opposite and you are more positive and optimistic about a person or situation than you thought you would be.

In some cases, you talk more about what you want to accomplish, and this journal helps you to come up with actionable things you can do to achieve those dreams.

It Becomes a Comfort When Dealing With Stress

Stress is a powerful thing, much more powerful than people give it credit for. Stress can affect nearly every part of your life, including your mental and physical wellbeing.

It is important that you try to reduce your stress in any way you can. 

Writing in your journal helps you identify what is leading to your stress, which helps you determine what you can do to stop it.  The act of writing and journaling allows you to let go of some of its power and take back your own.