Journaling And How It Can Help Your Mental Health

Keeping a journal sounds like the American for writing in a diary.

And while it isn’t completely untrue, it does not actually encompass the whole art of journaling.

What is journaling?

Journaling involves writing down your thoughts and feelings, helping you to gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in your life. For some people, it can be just writing whatever pops into their head, whereas for others, they require prompts to get them to think about the precise nature of what they will add to their journal. After this article, we share 50 mental health prompts that may help you to get started on your journaling journey.

How could journaling help my mental health?

Keeping your thoughts and concerns in your head can lead to a build-up of energy that needs expelling in some way. Rather than allowing it to get to a point where you explode or implode, utilising a journal can be enormously beneficial. Simply writing things down can alleviate worries and help regain clarity.

How do I learn to journal?

Although there are probably folk out there who will tell you there are right and wrong ways to journal, we disagree with this. If it’s helping you, there is nothing wrong with it at all! Treat yourself to a new book (you can find loads of books that are designed with journaling in mind) and pens that feel nice in your hand… then write down what is going through your head. Alternatively, choose one of the mental health journal prompts that we have provided and get writing! Whatever comes into your head, put it into words or pictures. Doodles can often be as cathartic as words for some people.

Though some people choose to journal online, this is not as effective as using a book, though, of course, it may be a better option for some people. Taking time out from technology and other barriers to focus will prove beneficial.

Mental Health Journal Prompts

1. How is your mental health right now?

2. How has your mental health changed since the beginning of the year?

3. What are you doing to improve your mental health?

4.What severity is your mental health on a scale of 1 to 10?

5. Do you believe childhood trauma has impacted your current mental health?

6.What mental illnesses do you struggle with?

7. How old were you when you knew you had mental health issues?

8.How has your mental health changed over the years?

9.What types of medical treatments have you tried for your mental health?

10.Have you been to therapy or counselling for your mental health?

11.What natural remedies do you use for your mental health?

12.Have lifestyle changes made an impact on your mental state?

13. What are some daily habits or routines that help your mental health?

14.Describe your mental health morning routine.

15.Describe your mental health night-time routine.

16.What are some things people get wrong about mental health?

17.What do you wish you could explain to people about mental health?

18.What misconceptions about mental health did you learn about?

19.What has been your experience with stress?

20.How has stress impacted your life?

21.What are some of your stress-relieving methods?

22.What is your experience with anxiety?

23.Have you been officially diagnosed with an anxiety disorder?

24.What do you do daily to help with your anxiety?

25.What anxiety triggers do you have?

26.Have you given anything up to help with your anxiety?

27.Do you have people you can talk to about your anxiety?

28.Do you suffer from depression?

29.Has your depression been officially diagnosed?

30.What severity is your depression?

31.What are some of your depression triggers?

32.Does journaling your feelings help with your mental health?

33.Have you found a specific form of journaling that helps the most?

34.How do you feel about stream-ofconsciousness journaling?

35.Start a gratitude journal and write 5-10 things you are grateful for.

36.Do you find journaling your daily feelings and thoughts helpful?

37.Does writing about a specific topic in your journal help you?

38.Write something creative in your journal today, such as a poem or short story.

39.How are you feeling today?

40.What is something that made you feel happy recently?

41.What is something that made you feel sad recently?

42.What is something new you tried recently?

43.Focus on gratitude today. What are you most grateful for?

44.How is your mental health different when you spend more time alone?

45.How often do you reach out to other people?

46.How do you feel about other people reaching out to you?

47.What kind of self-care practices are part of your routine?

48.Do you practise self-love?

49.How do you feel about self-help for your mental health?

50.What can you do TODAY to improve your mental health?