THREE WAYS TO

Photo by lovelyday12 - stock.adobe.com 3 Ways to Release Stress by Journaling

Over the years, research has shown verbs and pronouns. For example, focus for that journal writing creates thera moment and envision yourself one year apeutic benefits such as reducing from today. Date the top of your page with stress. Just a few easy steps can enhance the the future date and describe whatever is stress-reducing benefit of journal writing: stressing you out in the past tense. 1 Protect Your Space. Journal writing for stress reduction is as much about finding a great pen, a tasty cup of tea Or write in the present, as if you are experiencing it in real time on that future date. You can get the same effect by changing pronouns. Write about yourself in a and a cozy writing nook as it is feeling safe challenging situation from the perspective to write what you really want to say. Privacy of someone else; a best friend, your beloved set ups range from a stop sign doodle, a grandfather, even your cat or the sturdy note requesting others to not read your oak tree in front of your house. Sit for a private thoughts-in-process, passwords on moment to be present with the “author” digital entries or a locked book in a locked you’ll be writing as. When you are ready, case in a locked car trunk. instead of using “I”, write in the third

2Say what you really want to say. One person using your name and preferred of the unique powers of journal writpronoun (he/she/they). ing is to have the "entire floor" to say exactly what you want. Almost nowhere else Regular journal writing is a self-care pracdo you have the chance to speak your mind, tice that encourages stress reduction. Very scratch out, shred or rewrite later. This isn’t simple steps can empower you to release the place to worry about grammar or what stress in even more impactful ways. Try others might think. Give yourself permisthem out to increase your ability to solve sion for your journal to be your private problems, create opportunities and guide place for saying, thinking and processing. yourself in new ways.

3Change your perspective. Often, we Laura Stukel is a lifelong journal writer call situations stressful because we feel and advocate. For more information on her stuck or out of options. Your jouronline courses, call 773-251-1631, email nal is a unique place to experiment with Laura.TeamSage@gmail.com or visit possibilities and points of view. The most TeamSage.studio. See ad on this page and basic way is so simple—just look at your in the Community Resource Guide.

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