One of the most effective ways to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and help deal with the challenges of life is to keep a journal. And, many therapists will recommend that you do this.
Keeping a Journal is something you can do anywhere, at anytime whether on a phone with a free app like, Microsoft OneNote or on a private notebook or sketchpad. It can be in words, sketches or a combination of both.
And, it can be fun.
Research has shown that keeping a journal can help improve mental health, process issues that we are struggling with and provide structure and meaning to life’s problems and setbacks. It can be immensely therapeutic: allowing you to reflect on your thoughts, express your emotions and describe how they have affected you in everyday life…. helping you become more self-aware.
The three books highlighted here are by self-taught illustrator, Danny Gregory. He and his family were impacted by several major life traumas. His wife Patti suffered a horrific accident that left her paraplegic and wheelchair bound. Fifteen years later, she fell from their eight-story flat and didn’t survive. Danny started to use a sketchpad to capture images and words to help him make meaning of his life after the accident. In his books, he describes how he and many others use a sketchpad to journal their experiences and make sense of what has happened. And, as he discovered, you do not have to be an artist or a writer to do this.
Your journal is private to you, unless you want to share it. You might want to draw, create a list, write a few words, an essay, a mind map, glue in a photo or a plant cutting, a train ticket…. whatever works for you. You can use your journal in all sorts of ways: as an aide mémoire, a way to handle difficult conversations, to offload the noise that’s in your head or stuff you want to capture for your next counselling session, draft a letter saying how you feel about someone but, won’t send. You can capture the reasons you feel stressed, anxious or depressed as well as what makes a great day.
Check out Danny Gregory’s books or his website or YouTube channel. Maybe you will find inspiration. Or just grab a notepad and pen and get started.