• Hey there, welcome to Talk Mental Health – a cozy corner where we're all about mental health, wellness, and just being real. This is your spot to connect with a community that gets it, where we're all on this journey together. Whether you're navigating tough times or lending a listening ear, we've got your back. No judgment, just genuine support. Step in, take a deep breath, and let's make this a space where we lift each other up. Glad you're here!
  • While Talk Mental Health offers a platform for peer support and shared experiences, it is not a substitute for professional mental health assistance. If you find yourself in genuine danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to qualified professionals. In the UK, you can contact emergency services by dialing 999. For non-emergency support, consider reaching out to organizations like Samaritans at 116 123. In the USA, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). For support in Australia, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. Your well-being is our priority, and seeking professional help is a crucial step towards your mental health journey.

Writing in a Journal - Tips for Releasing Your Feelings

Medical studies show that writing about trauma or emotions helps people experience happiness, or an increase in health and productivity.

James Pennebaker, discovered that people who use writing to make sense of their traumatic life experiences feel happier and less anxious. Through his studies, Pennebaker found that those who made meaning out of their gained insight from writing were healthier than those who simply wrote the details of their day.

Simply put: Words Heal. Founder and President of WRITECOVERY, Inc, Vicki M Taylor says, writing is a powerful tool for individuals who are struggling with the healing process." She went on to say, "Words heal. Once you get the story out on paper, it's out of your mind and you can move on."

"Writing is a process," says Stephen King. Although he meant it for fiction writing, he was never more right when it comes to journal writing. Writing is a process. It helps us understand what's going on inside of us. It helps us sort out the emotions building up inside of us that threaten to blow. We have thoughts racing around in our mind, what do we do? We get out our journal and we write. And write. And write until the thoughts no longer run through our mind but race along the pages of our journal.

Journaling can have an overall healing affect on those with physical and mental illnesses. Doctors see it all the time. The patient uses the journal to track their illness, their symptoms, their thoughts and feelings about what they're experiencing. Before long, they're writing about how they're coping, dreaming about what they're going to do when they get well, and thinking about ways to help themselves improve their health.

If you desire, you can share your journal with your physician or mental health professional if you feel it might help your case. If not, don't. It's yours. It's private. Don't be pressured into exposing your private thoughts.

If you've never written in a journal before, it's very easy. You don't need a fancy journal or pen to start. A 3-ring binder, pen, pencil or even an online Microsoft Word or Text document is just fine to start.

Wait for a time when you have about 20 - 30 minutes of uninterrupted space.

Indoors or outdoors, it doesn't matter.

Get comfortable.

Have a beverage close by.

You might want to start a ritual. Light a candle. Some Incense. Turn on soft music.

Open to a blank page. Identify the date. Some people like to identify the location as well. Then take a deep breath. Reach for your pen, set it to paper, and let your mind free.

Journaling is a liberating experience. Journaling is a healing experience. You'll find that you'll live a healthier, more spiritual, and less negative life. Joy will replace passivity. You'll gain a new perspective, change your negative thought patterns, and find a way to let your inner critic out onto the pages of your journal instead of running around in your head wreaking havoc.

What are you going to write about?

You are going to write about anything and everything. It's your journal. It's your private thoughts. It's a "judge free" zone. It can be a laundry list. It can be a bucket list. It can be a letter to the neighbor down the street who always leaves their trashcans in the middle of the street.

My point is this: Whatever pops into your mind, can pop onto the pages of your journal.

Try it for a week. See how refreshing and freeing it becomes. Don't try the whole 20-30 minutes at once. Try for a little five minute practice and see how it works for you. Then, try it again. And again.

I bet before long, you'll have thoughts in your mind and you'll be longing to reaching for your journal to get them out of your head.

My suggestion to you is start carrying your journal around with you during the day, so you can slip away for a few minutes to write a sentence or two.

You know you're going to want to. It's going to feel that good.

Words Heal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8659568
 
When I was in my teens, I used to write a diary. In the diary, I wrote my pent up emotions and about things that I could not share with anyone. Writing a diary helped me in two ways, one, I developed writing skills, and two, I was able to channel my emotions.
 
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