How keeping a journal can help improve your health

Author: Georgina Clatworthy
Published: Oct 25 2012

Can keeping a written record of your daily life actually improve your health? The answer is yes. Writing in a journal offers you many benefits that can help you improve your physical and mental health over time. The bigger question really is what kind of journal should you keep and what exactly should you write in it? The best part about a journal is that it is yours. It’s your place to keep a record of the events in your life. Not every page will be filled with exciting happenings or exotic tales. Most pages in the average journal contain the day-to-day occurrences that people struggle with. It is a private place to say the things that you do not want to say out loud. It can be a compilation of gratitude, anger, joy, struggle, and pain.

Physical Changes

If you have been injured or you are suffering with a serious health issue, keeping a journal can help you document changes in your health. For instance, if you have suffered a personal injury, keeping a record of your daily life can help you maintain your sanity as you navigate the legal system. Our Miami personal injury lawyer adds that this kind of record can be valuable to your case to show the extent of your damages and to help you recall the series of events surrounding the accident.

A journal cannot cure you all of all that ails you, but it can give you a place to write down what matters to you. It is a record of your life. It is your private place to vent about anything and anyone. It can help you forget the little stuff so you can focus on what is really important in your life. It can keep your anxiety and stress levels down which is always good for your overall health.

A Record of You

When selecting a journal, it can be a simple notebook or a leather-bound book. Whatever style fits your personality will work. Starting a journal might seem difficult at first. Some people don’t know what to write, so it can be helpful to have a basic outline to get you started. To begin, write the date at the top of the page, then write a brief outline of your day. If there was something in your day that you struggled with, elaborate on it. If you are trying to reach certain diet and exercise goals, write down how you did that day. If you are feeling anger or sadness, let it all out. Over time, these pages will become a blueprint of sorts. You can see where you struggle most. You will begin to recognize recurring issues.

Keeping a journal is a great way to release feelings. Holding on to feelings of sadness and anger can harm your physical and mental health. The very ritual of placing those feelings in that book can give you some relief. You can also return to earlier pages and determine how your feelings have changed over time. If you are struggling in relationships, a journal can pinpoint areas you need to strengthen and can sometimes even show you patterns of dysfunction that call for action.

Georgina Clatworthy is a content writer who regularly writes on topics relating to health and lifestyle. She contributes this post on behalf of the Miami personal injury lawyer group of Steinger, Iscoe and Green. Coping after an accident in which injuries occur can be difficult and the firm recommends taking advice from a reputable attorney to help claim the damages owed to you and to ensure your rights are fully protected.

This article is published on the basis that the supplied content is the original work of the author / provider. If you feel that copyright has been infringed, please contact the site administrator.