The beginning of a new year often inspires self-reflection. Journaling is an excellent way to capture this inspiration, track our emotions, or cultivate a routine toward mindfulness. Benjamin P. Hardy posted an excellent article on Medium about the many benefits of daily journaling as a keystone habit. Here is an excerpt:
Journaling Clears Your Emotions
Several research studies have found that writing in your journal reduces stress.These benefits include:
- Reducing scatter in your life
- Increased focus
- Greater stability
- Deeper level of learning, order, action, and release
- Holding thoughts still so they can be changed and integrated
- Releasing pent-up thoughts and emotions
- Empowerment
- Bridging inner thinking with outer events
- Detaching and letting go of the past
- Allowing you to re-experience the past with today’s adult mind