If you’ve been around here for a while then you know how passionate I am about using self-care for personal growth, mental health, stress, and anxiety management.
One of the best ways I found to manage stress and anxiety is journaling, but sadly most take it for granted. At an early age, I learned how powerful words can be from my mother, which is one of the reasons I like to talk about meditation and self-care.
Having a proper journal routine can have a drastic effect on your well being and mental state. But the best benefit of it is aiding you in understanding the root of your anxiety while helping you to discover what coping mechanisms work for you.
Why should you start journaling?
Journaling provides an outlet for your feelings that’s raw, uncensored, and safe. Write things down that you’d never be able to say to another person. You can let it all out without the fear of judgment. You have the ability to create this beautiful safe space for the things that you feel.
Breathe, By Dominee has a ton of journaling prompts to help root out your anxiety while helping you to discover what coping mechanisms work for you. I recommend you check it out if you’re just beginning journaling.
The most important thing is to always write for yourself.
Writing is a way of communicating with those parts of ourselves that we’ve hidden. That’s why I believe writing is a key aspect of mental wellness.
There’s nothing better than raging out on paper and then watching it burn. I’m not a pyromaniac but watching your stress, anxiety, anger and other emotions burn just feels like they are being lifted somehow.
Journaling gives you the space to figure out what you need. When thoughts are rushing through your head it can be hard to stop, especially when you suffer from anxiety, they can be like a never-ending flood. Writing them down can help us see them in a different light.
How to Journal
There are all kinds of different ways to journal. Whether you use pen and paper, blogging, doodling, or the notepad feature on your phone. I personally use the notepad on my phone all the time, especially when I’m traveling.
Stuck at work and having a super crappy night? Try going into the bathroom and open the memo-pad on the phone and just complain and vent. Putting any frustration into words always helps.
The Breathe workbook is great because it has space for every day which will encourage you to keep up a daily practice. It’s especially important for more deeper topics that you need more privacy to write about.
If you are looking for other alternatives to help with chronic stress and anxiety you could also check out Panic Away. I have heard some amazing things about the Panic Away program and it’s great if you’re looking for an alternative without relying on medical assistance.
It has helped thousand not only cure their anxiety but also be free from panic attacks. Creator and owner of panic away, Barry Mcdonough, has taught many how to understand their anxiety and panic attacks so that they can tackle and create the best treatment plans that free them.
We loved it so much we created an in-depth guide on how to create your own panic attack treatment plan using some of his proven techniques. Check it out here…
12 Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
Make use of these 12 journaling prompts and get started releasing that stress and anxiety today.
1. What is the biggest struggle you face with your mental health?
2. What subtle signs do you see when you’re starting to really struggle?
3. In regard to your mental health, what things scare you the most?
4. What things does your mental health stop you from doing? Is there any way you can get creative and work around that?
5. Do you feel like you have enough support? If the answer is no, what are some ways you can start building up your support system?
6. What things have you achieved in spite of your mental health struggles?
7. What are three things you can start doing that will benefit your mental health?
8. What positive lessons have your mental health struggles taught you?
9. What unhealthy coping mechanisms do you use and what can you replace them with?
10. Make a list of all of your coping mechanisms in the order of how much they help you.
11. What are your favorite ways to self-soothe?
12. Look at yourself from an outside point of view – evaluate yourself and your mental health and then give yourself some loving advice and suggestions.
Habit Trackers
Journaling is great for keeping track of yourself, growth, needs, and much more. But there are other ways to do the same thing.
If journaling isn’t your thing why don’t you try using a tracker, like a habit tracker. Lucky for you I have made a list of all the best trackers around the internet. All located in one easy location, go check them out here…