The constant state of unease that defines anxiety makes it very hard to be productive, solve problems, and stay present. Imagine going about your day when you have this heavy feeling that something bad is going to happen. And you’re not sure what or when, so you don’t know how to prepare. Journaling for anxiety can help quell the thoughts behind that sometimes mysterious feeling, by guiding you into a more calm state of mind that can think more clearly. Here are ways I’ve personally found journaling for anxiety to help in those times.
benefits of journaling for anxiety
It helps you rationalize your thoughts and put things in perspective. Sometimes we think a lot faster than we can write. Writing forces us to slow our thoughts, and process them one at a time. This gets you out of the anxious mind (fight or flight) and into the rational mind. Eventually, your mind and body relax a little, and your nervous system will feel safe enough to begin dreaming up solutions, versus being suspended in worry.
It’s therapeutic. Journaling for anxiety can be especially helpful on days you don’t see your therapist or have a shoulder to lean on, since it’s like having a conversation with yourself. While we all need the support of our communities at times, I find that journaling has the power to make me feel less alone in moments I have nowhere else to turn.
Journaling isn’t just for writers. Journaling can help not only those with anxiety but those who have experienced chronic stress and even trauma, and this isn’t limited to those with an affinity for writing. The practice helps our brains move emotions from our unconscious mind to the forefront, which can ultimately help us let go. Our emotions are deep and complex, so it is most helpful as a daily or regular ritual, and not something to turn to only when distressed.
It’s free. We have so many resources for anxiety at our disposal these days, from therapy to meditation apps to retreats and more. I’m a bit of a self-care junkie, so you can bet I’ve tried most of them. But there is nothing like having something super simple, and free, to come back to time and time again.
You’ll feel accomplished. If you’ve suffered from anxiety and/or depression yourself, you probably understand why it’s important to feel a sense of accomplishment. Doing just one of the things you’ve been avoiding due to anxiety will make you feel better—even if that thing is uncomfortable in the moment like working through icky emotions. Trust me, when something weighs heavy in my mind, I do not want to face it, let alone on paper. But after a few minutes, I feel an emotional release that reminds me, I won’t feel this way forever.
Does journaling help you find relief from stress and anxiety? If you’re just starting out with a journaling practice, read this post for ideas on where to begin! You may also want to check out our favorite Instagram accounts to follow on your healing journey.
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