Journaling

Journaling is simply the process of regularly writing your thoughts down on paper. This can be a very profound experience. The process of journaling can support you in learning about what you're afraid of, what you're passionate about, and what you aspire to. Buy yourself a beautiful notebook, and a pen you enjoy writing with. Find 20 quiet minutes in your day, I recommend it as part of your bedtime routine, but any part of the day is fine.

Write in it as if you were talking with yourself. Write about how you're feeling, what's bothering or exciting you, or the day ahead of you. It doesn't need to be tidy or well written, this is your journal, for your eyes only.

Research has clearly shown that Journaling has the power to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system as well as these benefits!

• feeling better about life
• being more optimistic about the near future
• feeling more inclined to help others with personal problems
• more inclined to exercise
• improved health.

As part of the AffirmIt! Program we use journaling extensively. Writing things down not only acts as a "release", reducing stress but also allows for a moment of contemplation that allows a clearer perspective on events to emerge.

Your journal is a bit like a personal diary. But you would typically record the events of the day that were significant for you, you might record your feelings and reactions to the things that happened. You might also write down a list of the good things that happened that day.