Hello guys and welcome back!

I want to share something with you all that I encourage my patients to do as well as myself, journaling. Growing up, writing was a great escape for me. I still have my childhood diaries and it’s such a trip down memory lane when I read them! As adults, journaling can help ground ourselves, control our mood but most importantly, it provides an opportunity for positive self-talk while also identifying negative thoughts. I want to encourage all of you to start a routine where you can incorporate journaling even if it’s 5 minutes a day.

I know journaling can be intimidating or too much commitment but I am here to help you! Check out my 5 tips to making journaling part of your daily routine without it feeling like a hassle:

Start early in the morning

This is going to help you set your intention and your mood for your day. You can set aside as little as 2-5 minutes each morning. The timeframe you spend is not as important as the consistency is.

2. Use a pen and paper. Nothing digital

I know we live in a very digital world, especially post-covid but for journaling, good old pen and paper is a must. The reason behind this is to be able to spend time away from your phone and computer.

3. Set a reminder

You can use your phone to set alarms that can remind you daily at a specific time or add reminders to your calendar for alerts.

4. Review and Reflect

When you have the time, look back at what you wrote and reflect. Pay attention to how your mood impacts your emotions and your behavior. Reflect on the positive thoughts as well as the negative thoughts.

5. Enjoy it!

Writing in your journal should not feel like homework or a tedious task. The goal is to take some time off your busy day and focus on yourself. Set positive vibes and intentions for the day. Rember, this is one thing you are doing for yourself and it counts as self-care!

TYPES OF JOURNALS

Now let’s talk about journals! I have been using “The Five Minute Journal” which has been so helpful. It already comes with a structure that is designed to be completed in 5 minutes (which is as much time as I have to dedicate.) But you can use a less structural one if you prefer or a blank notebook if you enjoy free writing and total creative control.

Check out these options from Amazon!