‘tis the season
‘tis the season
In December of 2024, I published a post on journaling. (Click here to view it.)
It was good timing. November of this year is good timing as well for a post on the same topic but fueled by an entirely different reasons.
Thing is, journaling is actually good for us! As in doctor-recommended kinda good. And, the reason it’s a good time for such a post is because even though it’s a beautiful time of year, for a whole lot of folks, it triggers an onset of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Journaling can provide a nearly free source of help to alleviate that. It’ll cost a pen or pencil, and a notebook, so for most, it’s affordable.
When the high days of summer ebb to make room for the way shorter ones of autumn in her fancy leaves and chilly temps, not everyone is oohing and ahhing over the riot of color and the sun already yawning by early afternoon.
Here are a few shots I took earlier today that provide a good example of where we are in the season, at least here in our village.
For some, the colors and misty atmosphere are beautiful and invigorating, while others experience a less cheery effect.
I’m sure most of us have at least one friend or family member who struggles with seasonal depression. It’s not just the physical season changes causing it, other aspects can play a big part in it. I’ll give you an all-in-one example...
Holidays
There are loads of reasons folks can be torn, or even dread the holiday season. For lots, it’s their first time to experience them without a loved one. Or their first time to go through them away from home. For essential personnel, staffing is often short which means longer hours for those filling the gaps.
Back to the point
The point of this post isn’t the cause, but the possible help for it. And after my recent post on the physical and mental benefits of handwriting, I got curious and decided to follow an associated trail to see if there were maybe similar benefits to journaling.
I ran a couple queries and was rewarded with information impressive enough to bother sharing with you. Sharing is caring and I’ve been a life-long fan of journaling, so, it’s a win-win!
I learned that...
Journaling is more than writing down thoughts, ideas, feelings, desires, plans, etcetera. It also changes us by producing psychological and physiological responses–ones that are good for us and sometimes even helping to heal us.
How’s that happen?
Seems that journaling can produce multiple health benefits. I've compiled them into two categories for you below.
Mental
☙ Creativity: Encourages the free-flow of thoughts and ideas, promoting creativity.
☙ Emotional regulation: Helps writers identify and understand their emotions, leading to better emotional control.
☙ Goal achievement: A written record of goals and tracking the progress to achieving them increases enthusiasm, accountability and greater likelihood of achieving them.
☙ Mood improvement and stabilization: Writing about gratitude and positive experiences can produce feelings of well being and improved confidence. Also, studies show that journaling can help significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
☙ Problem solving: Writing down thoughts on problems can enhance identifying solutions and improve decisiveness.
Physical
☙ Better sleep: Off-loading concerns and ideas into a journal can grant stress relief that allows for improved rest periods.
☙ Boosts immune function: In short, journaling can strengthen your immune system.
☙ Healthy blood pressure: Studies indicate journaling can lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
☙ Natural analgesic: Journaling can help with managing chronic pain. The reaction is due to the writer having a safe space to express and process pain-related experiences. (I’m not all in with this one. Some pain nearly prevents breathing and thinking, let alone writing. However, I do believe it’s likely very effective with folks who are inclined to lean to the negative in thought and feelings, which are two components that bring about pain-related physical reactions.)
Further related information
On a personal note...
I’ve been both a sporadic and steady journalist for years. However, within the last year, I’ve required myself to be only steady, with exception to extreme time crunches and health setbacks.
I’m happy to say though, that I’ve managed to be parked at my desk most mornings with instability. But most mornings, I’m parked at my desk with hot coffee and feeling enthused about a short journal entry right after finishing Bible study.
The pen (specifically for journaling) I found at the Dollar Tree and the journal was a birthday gift. It’s nearly full and I have a new one to begin already waiting in my bookcase. I loved writing at my old desk, and loving it just as much at my new one, but, truthfully, journaling can be fun nearly anywhere and the where can easily change the what of the content.
Journaling can be, but doesn't have to be an expensive hobby.
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| Where I journal most often, but nearly anywhere can be a good spot for journaling! Usually, my entries are daily, short, and touch on the highlights near the time of the entry and whatever prayer request might be pressing on my heart. It feels good that I’ve communicated it verbally and in writing as well. That’s cause it makes me feel better, not because the Lord needs it that way. I also have a positivity rule that I stick to, which is keep the content positive. Even if it’s a topic that’s upsetting, I can remember when grace and mercy have covered me, and that’s the perspective I write from. If any of my friends, family, God-children, nieces and nephews should read an entry, I want it to bless them not upset them. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 |
Have you tried journaling? If you did, are you still journaling?
I hope if you’ve not tried journaling, or had a go at it and decided it wasn’t for you, that you’ll maybe reconsider and give it another shot. Knowing what we know about it now, it might make some wonderful differences for you.
If you’d like to weigh in on the topic, please leave a comment below. Participation is always appreciated!
The Wrap!
Thanks for tuning in this week! Hope you’ve found it interesting and helpful!
'til next time, shalom!
Angelia
