More benefits to mental health from journaling are being discovered as research continues. Journaling is a simple practice that can truly improve aspects of quality of life and well-being.
Engaging in journaling on a regular basis is helpful for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety, along with reducing stress and strengthening resilience. This article explores many benefits of journaling on mental health, and gets you started on how to journal.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Journaling is a vital practice that helps you in processing negative emotions in a way that is healthy for you. What benefits can you expect?
It can help you develop or enhance self-awareness.
Self-awareness is a crucial tool for maintaining better mental health. Writing down feelings, thoughts and actions is an excellent way to foster your own self-awareness. When you reflect on experiences, you can identify triggers or patterns for your feelings and thoughts, both positive and negative.
It can reduce the power of negative events.
Writing about negative events doesn’t mean hanging on to them or letting them drag you down. Journaling actually makes you much less likely to continue fixating on negative events. Acknowledge the feelings and then let them go.
Living through traumatic or stressful events can anchor those thoughts in your mind and reduce your innate ability to focus on the “now” instead. When you journal negative feelings, you can develop new coping skills and strategies for problems that hold you back from moving on.
It can help control worry and anxiety.
When you list your worries through journaling, it actually can aid you in minimizing them, which benefits your mental health. You can leave those fears behind after you write them down.
Having a “worry time” designated, where you can focus on your concerns and fears, can bring you relief. You’ll likely notice that things that worry you the most are often more what might happen, rather than what is happening.
It can help you manage depression.
Writing through your emotions can significantly decrease depression symptoms. If you turn to journaling to help in improving your mental health, focusing on deeper thoughts and feelings can bring you more benefits.
You can also keep a gratitude journal to track all the things and people you have for which you can be thankful. Practicing gratitude has positive effects on your mental health and is helpful in counteracting depression’s negative patterns of thought.
How can you start journaling?
If you have never kept a journal before, you’ll want to start on a small scale. If you spend hours suddenly writing down feelings and thoughts, that may intimidate you. Remember, you don’t have to write everything down when you journal, in order to reap the benefits. You can even write down just one worry or thought per day while you develop the habit of journaling.
If you’d prefer to hand-write your thoughts in a book-type journal, you can go that route. Or perhaps you’d rather use Google docs or the notes app on your phone. You can journal in a stream of consciousness manner, meaning you write down all the thoughts that enter your head without any editing.
Or you can use bullet lists. Do whatever is easiest for you; the journaling type you use isn’t important, as long as you feel good after journaling.
Conclusion
There isn’t one right method of journaling, nor are there any wrong ones. Lists on your phone are fine, or pictures of favorite moments. Writing about your deepest thoughts is a good way to start.
Journaling is an easy habit to make your own. It’s not necessary to buy expensive books or apps. All you really need is a little time, a writing method and the willingness to give journaling a try.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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