Journal Writing as Therapy

Keeping a journal can be very beneficial to your health in many ways. This type of introspective therapy can help you better understand yourself and solve daily problems.

Stress Relief

• Writing your disappointments and anger into a journal at the end of the day can be a very healthy way to let off steam. You can say whatever you want in the journal without hurting any feelings. Once you relieve stress, you will be better equipped to calmly assess the situation.

Motivation

• Many people keep journals when working toward a goal, such as losing weight or raising money. You will provide yourself with daily motivation as you catalog your progress.

Coping Mechanism

• If you have lost a loved one, keeping a journal can be a great coping mechanism. You can write to the person you lost and say everything you wish to say. Journal writing can also help a terminally-ill patient accept her fate and make the most out of her time left.

Understanding Yourself

• By keeping a daily journal, you can look back at your actions and emotions weeks, months or even years later. You can see how you have grown or how you need to grow. It will give you better perspective if you are ever angry at a friend or with yourself.

Repairing Relationships

• Journal writing is a common technique used in counseling couples. The two will each keep their own journals and then reveal their thoughts at a later time. This helps the couple pinpoint the real problems in their relationships by calmly cataloging what is bothering them the most.