Journaling for Mental Health

If you read any personal growth or self help books, you will find journaling is one tool that is highly recommended. Great ideas and projects are born out of journaling. Unfortunately, sometimes our minds can get into a very negative emotional state that can be hard to come out of. You enter a dark space where you feel lonely, where you feel that no one understands or you just cannot explain why you are feeling the way you are. Fortunately, there is a way out, a way that can help you feel better, and this through journaling.

Take a notepad or a piece of paper or use your laptop or phone and start writing. Write whatever comes to your mind. Don't worry about spellings or grammar. Express your feelings in any order they arise. Whatever it is that you are feeling, anger, hate, sadness, loneliness, grief, shock, just write it down. This is a place you can be honest with yourself and how you feel. The paper will not judge you back. You are allowed to feel whatever it is that you feel without guilt or any advice as to why you should not feel a certain way. You can be who you truly are at that moment in time. Cry if you must, and let all the frustrations and complaints leave your physical body. Allow all negative emotions to be expressed.

You will find that as you write, your negative emotions are being released from your mind. They no longer have a hold on you. You don't feel so stuck anymore. You feel lighter and better. As the vessel that is your mind empties of its contents, there is a space that is clear and in a neutral state. There is a possibility of clarity and new or positive thoughts. There is hope as you take control of yourself. You feel that there is some relief and feel happier again. Even though there may not always be a solution to a problem, journaling just makes you feel better. Sometimes, you may also have an epiphany moment and actually do find a solution to the problem.

No one needs to see your journal. You don't need to read it again. You can burn the paper or delete whatever it is you have written. Just be assured that there is a way out and you don't have to suffer in silence.

Pritti Bhatia. Energy and chakra balancing practitioner (Reiki Levels I, II and Master), Nutritionist, Pranyama (breath work) and Meditation teacher, Oracle Card and Tarot Card reader. Contact: pritti5hah@hotmail.com