Journalling is one of my favourite tools for combatting anxious thoughts and feelings.
One of the worst aspects of anxiety is not knowing why you feel nervous in the first place. You could be lying on an idyllic beach with the ocean waves lapping in the distance and still feel worried for absolutely no reason. That’s when writing can help. It can be an effective way to explore how you feel, especially if talking out loud feels impossible.
Studies show that keeping a journal is actually a healthy way to deal with negative feelings and can help reduce stress. Another study found that anxious test participants who wrote a few notes before sitting a test about how they were feeling and what they were thinking, performed better than those that didn’t.
If you are feeling anxious I recommend committing to this practise first thing every morning. Simply put aside 2 minutes whilst eating your breakfast to quickly jot down the random thoughts and feelings currently going through your head. I want you to write down everything that pops into your head, without judgement. This will allow you to let things go and get on with your day.
Then in the evening before going to sleep I want you to get out your journal again, but this time I want you to list all the things that you're grateful for. These good feelings go into your subconscious whilst you sleep and help lift your mood upon waking in the morning.
This week I challenge you to put aside 2 minutes each morning and evening to keep a journal of the thoughts and feelings that arise each day.
Try and stick with it every day for a full week. See how it makes you feel. If you can it's a good practise to continue long term, but choose what feels right for you.