Journal writing can be whatever the writer wants it to be, whether it's writing down personal thoughts, daily experiences or evolving insights. Maintaining a journal is an easy way to record your thoughts by simply writing them down on paper. It is this ease of use, self-observation and catharsis that lead to the benefits of journaling, which include personal growth, stress reduction, emotional release and self-expression.
Ease of Use
An apparent benefit of journaling is the ease of doing so; there are no special skills or tools required to begin this technique. Journals can be written on any type of paper or electronically, whatever suits the needs of the writer. Also, writing skills are not essential to the art of journal writing because the journal is for the individual writer's benefit and no one else's.
Reflective Nature
When a journal is used as a reflective tool, the writer is able to be an observer of life. Dr. Ray Bruce, writing in Self-Help Magazine, states that reflective journaling allows writers to gain a different perspective on an intimate experience that they may not have realized prior to writing.
Personal Growth
Journaling can be a source of personal growth and development. Rodger Hiemstra, author of "Uses and Benefits of Journal Writing," suggests that journals can open the door to new insights and mental breakthroughs that may be repressed with other personal-growth techniques, such as group discussions and silent reflection.
Reduction in Stress
A journal is a safe place for writers to express difficult emotions without the risk of harming others or themselves. Writers may be able to come to terms with situations that have caused anger or sadness by expressing their thoughts and feelings on paper. This type of emotional purging can provide an overall reduction of stress, which can have both mental and physical health benefits.
Self-Expression
A journal is a place where you can express thoughts that you might not feel comfortable or willing to share out loud. Hiemstra reports that journaling may reveal moments of unexpected self-discovery in which you learn to trust yourself more and in turn increase your confidence. This self-trust stems from the new developments, thoughts and questions you are likely to bring up while journaling. With more awareness of yourself and your thought processes, trust and confidence in yourself increases.
Solving Problems
A journal is an effective way to address problems and develop solutions. Hiemstra suggests that when a journal is used to write down problems and potential solutions, answers that would not have been found through other means are more likely to surface.
Physical Health Impact
Bruce attests that studies demonstrate the connection between personal writing through journaling and an individual's physical health. Writing in a journal can be a relaxation technique to decrease stress and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic reports that reductions in stress and anxiety can cause an increased life span, reduced risks associated with cardiovascular disease, improvements in digestion, decreased headaches, better sleep, and lowered risk of substance abuse and depression.
References
- Self-Help Magazine: Strange but True: Improve Your Health Through Journaling
- "Promoting Journal Writing in Adult Education: Uses and Benefits of Journal Writing"; Rodger Hiemstra; 2001
- Mayo Clinic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Complications
