Infographic: Journaling as a Self-Care Practice
A recent survey showed that 1 in 7 Americans offered a neighbor help during quarantine. It’s fantastic to read about Americans coming together, but during challenging times it’s also important for us to remember to prioritize our own health and wellbeing too. Journaling as a self-care practice may be the perfect thing for you to try.
Journaling is an effective self-care practice, and now more than ever we need to find ways to relieve stress, manage anxiety, and even cope with more serious mental health issues. Interestingly, journaling has also been reported to have physical health benefits. Individuals who engaged in expressive writing reported reduced blood pressure, improved liver function, and even improved immune symptom functioning.
Starting a journal can feel complicated or even overwhelming, especially because there are so many different types of journals out there. It’s important to keep in mind that there is no right way to journal. You should choose a format that works best for you. Feel free to even create your own method entirely.
The visual below from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences goes over some additional benefits of keeping a journal and lays out examples of some of the different types of journals you can start. You’ll also find prompts that you can use to get yourself started!
