The 10 Amazing Benefits of Journaling for Your Health—Backed by Science

Have you ever thought of writing a journal, only to dismiss it, considering it a thing that children do? But let us tell you that journaling is a very powerful way to express your thoughts and feelings. The benefits of journaling are so many that it is recommended by psychologists as a mental health practice. Even some of history’s greatest people, like Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Frederick Douglass, and Albert Einstein, used journaling in their lives. 

So, in today’s article, we will talk all about what journaling can do for you so that you can start your own journey today. We will also recommend some of the finest journal books that you can buy on Amazon to help with the process. 

So don’t wait and get started!

Benefits of Journaling

The act of journaling involves writing down your thoughts, ideas, and feelings on a daily basis. It can be in free-form writing, using specific prompts and affirmations, or tracking any life goal. 

But how does journaling really help you in terms of your mental and physical health? Well, there are many astounding benefits to journaling:

1. Benefits of Journaling in Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Journaling has been widely studied to reduce stress and anxiety. It is because when you pen down your thoughts, you are basically transferring any negative emotions, thoughts, and problems directly from your mind to paper without any distractions. This, in return, reduces the mental clutter and allows you to feel calm and avoid stress burnout. 
In a study done on 70 subjects with medical conditions and anxiety, it was found that writing about positive experiences for 12 weeks can result in better health, reduced anxiety, and increased overall well-being. Expressive writing, in particular, has also been found to reduce depressive symptoms.

2. Journaling Helps with PTSD

It has been found in recent research that journaling can be a great tool to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well. Writing about how you feel seems to help people with PTSD deal with their symptoms better, like anger and worry. 

In terms of the physical effects of PTSD, it also helps to reduce body tension and improve focus. 

3. Benefits of Journaling in Creating Self-Awareness

When you start writing a journal, it can help you better understand the events of days and weeks. But when you keep practicing for months or years, it can give you a better perspective on who you are. 

When you look back at your stream-of-consciousness writing, you may start to notice some patterns or ideas that you did not even realize, such as your interests, dislikes, fears, and habits. In this way, your journal can make you a better person as you gain a better understanding of who you are and what you want.

4. Improve Problem Solving Skills 

Another great advantage or benefit of journaling is that when you write about a problem, it helps you to see it in a different way. This makes you understand it better and improves the problem solving skills. 

A study found that writing about personal values before doing something stressful made people do better because it cut down on nervousness and self-doubt. This means that in journaling, you become your own detective, solving every entry as you write. 

5. Benefits of Journaling for Memory

Note-taking has been used throughout history to learn something new. As the physical act of writing something down can cause your brain to remember the phrase and you pay attention to the information you are writing about. So when you practice it daily, it strengthens the memory cells in the brain, the same way as your physical muscles. Science also backs this claim and approves journaling as an at-home tool for memorization. 

In another research study, it has been found that writing things down, like in journaling, makes the brain’s “encoding” process better. This makes it about 20–23% easier to remember facts and important ideas, hence boosting your memory.!

6. Develop Emotional Intelligence 

A journal is the most private place to express your inner thoughts and feelings. As you can write down your fears and desires on a piece of paper, this process helps you to label your emotions, which is the most important part of emotional awareness. As per a study, once you identify your emotions, you can then take constructive steps to manage them.

7. Help in Goal Achievement

When you write about your goals and things you wish to achieve, there is a high chance that you will become more dedicated and ambitious for it. 

According to research, writing down your goals and going back to them (maybe during your daily thought) makes it 42% more likely that you will reach that goal. 

8. Improves Physical Health 

While we get benefits from journaling for mental health, there are many physical benefits observed in many studies. For example, when you practice writing journals over time, it has been shown to be good for your health in a number of ways. For example, it lowers blood pressure, helps you sleep better, and boosts your immune system. 

In another 2013 study, it was proven that those who write heal from wounds and physical pain much faster than those who don’t. 

9. Benefits of Journaling for Sleep

Another very interesting benefit of journaling is that it helps you sleep faster. It is because, when you write, you clear up your thoughts and emotions on a piece of paper. This mental declutter helps to create a calm that eventually makes you relax and fall asleep. 

10. You Build Your Book of You!

Well, it is not exactly a science-based benefit, but when you journal daily about your daily life events, you also write about your reactions and worries, hopes, and emotional state in it. This helps to build an overall narrative of your life over time, more like a biography. It can become something you look back on in the future and see how far you have come. 

How to Journal to Reap the Benefits

There are many forms of journaling, such as expressive writing, bullet journaling, gratitude journaling, journaling for mental clarity, and so on. No matter what type you choose, there is a way to do it more mindfully so that you get all the benefits of journaling you expect:

1. Find a quiet place: Journaling is best done with the least distraction. So, always look for a quiet place either in your home or maybe in your office.
2. Use Pen and Journal: While we do see many digital apps and calendars online, studies recommend that the act of writing by hand can engage the brain more fully than typing. So, the best way to do this is to use a pen and paper for better retention and meaningful writing.
3. Be consistent: Consistency is the key to everything, and writing a journal is no exception. You just need to set any time in the day, be it morning, evening, or at night. The main thing is that you have to be consistent with it. 
4. Keep Your Mind Open: Always remember that your journal is your private reading, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. So write as you feel comfortable and don’t bother spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. 

Best Buys on Amazon for Your Journaling Journey

In modern times, you don’t have to be limited to just a blank notebook to journal your thoughts. There are many structured prompt books, daily calendars, and even bullet journals that can help you reap the benefits of journaling. 

Many people recommend writing with pen and paper rather than using any digital gadget for journaling. That is why we have curated some of the best Amazon finds to make your journaling journey even more fun.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Journaling

Journaling is much more than a pen-to-paper thing. Science has proven that it is a way to express yourself and find mind clarity, explore new ideas, boost memory, and reduce mental stress. The best part about journaling is that you don’t need to be a skilled writer for it, or have any expensive material. All you need is a pen, a paper or notebook, and some motivation to begin!

So, by now we know you can clear your mind by writing in a journal, but sometimes a clean home without any negative energy is also just what you need. A calm home can help you think more clearly and feel better all around. Read my post for more insights and tips on How to Clear Negative Energy From Home. 

If you have ever tried journaling and it has benefited you in any way, please share your thoughts in the comments down below. We would definitely love to hear from our readers!

FAQs

What are the benefits of journaling?

Journaling benefits range from reducing negative thoughts and emotions and stress to improving memory and creativity. It can also help you write better and keep track of your growth as a person.

Are there negative effects of journaling?

Research suggests that sometimes, journaling about negative things can cause overthinking and revisiting painful memories. So, it is important to do journaling mindfully and take a break if you feel overwhelmed. 

What does journaling do to the brain?

Journaling can activate different areas of the brain that help to understand different feelings and emotions and boost self-awareness. 

Why journaling can change your life?

Writing in a journal can help you see things more clearly, set and reach your goals, and learn more about yourself. It helps you form good habits and can help you grow as a person over time. 

References 

1. Crawford, Andrea, et al. “Journaling: A More Mindful Approach to Researching a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in a Junior School.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods, vol. 20, Jan. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211014771.
2. Smyth, Joshua M., et al. “Online Positive Affect Journaling in the Improvement of Mental Distress and Well-Being in General Medical Patients With Elevated Anxiety Symptoms: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.” JMIR Mental Health, vol. 5, no. 4, Sept. 2018, p. e11290. https://doi.org/10.2196/11290. 
3. Meshberg-Cohen, Sarah, et al. “Expressive Writing as a Therapeutic Process for Drug-Dependent Women.” Substance Abuse, vol. 35, no. 1, June 2013, pp. 80–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2013.805181.
4. Crocker, Jennifer, et al. “Why Does Writing About Important Values Reduce Defensiveness?” Psychological Science, vol. 19, no. 7, July 2008, pp. 740–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02150.x.
5. An integrative review of the cognitive costs and benefits of note-taking | Scholars Portal Journals. journals.scholarsportal.info/details/1747938x/v22icomplete/223_airotccabon.xml.
6. DiMenichi, Brynne C., et al. “Effects of Expressive Writing on Neural Processing During Learning.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, vol. 13, Nov. 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00389.
7. Ford, Brett Q., et al. “The psychological health benefits of accepting negative emotions and thoughts: Laboratory, diary, and longitudinal evidence.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 115, no. 6, July 2017, pp. 1075–92. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000157.
8. Kraus, Steven, et al. Goals Research Summary. www.dominican.edu/sites/default/files/2020-02/gailmatthews-harvard-goals-researchsummary.pdf.
9. —. psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-01516-001.
10. Murray, Bridget. “Writing to heal.” https://www.apa.org, www.apa.org/monitor/jun02/writing.
11. Rodriguez, Tori. “Writing Can Help Injuries Heal Faster.” Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024, www.scientificamerican.com/article/writing-can-help-injuries-heal-faster.
12. Scullin, Michael K., et al. “The effects of bedtime writing on difficulty falling asleep: A polysomnographic study comparing to-do lists and completed activity lists.” Journal of Experimental Psychology General, vol. 147, no. 1, Oct. 2017, pp. 139–46. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000374.
13. Ihara, Aya S., et al. “Advantage of Handwriting Over Typing on Learning Words: Evidence From an N400 Event-Related Potential Index.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, vol. 15, June 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.679191.