WRITE your way to better health

VIWE NDONGENI-NTLEBI

JOURNALING is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic things you can do for yourself.

I’ve always been one to write down my thoughts and emotions. I kept a diary throughout my teen years and early twenties but fell out of the habit.

While a friend of mine was going through depression and anxiety four years ago, we read that journaling may help with dealing with that area of her life. We hopped on to the journaling band wagon again and started journaling every Sunday.

While we started journaling in a book, I felt that it was too much effort and moved to journaling on my phone instead.

Going back to what I had written and how grateful I was at some point, evoked those same feelings when reading what I had journaled.

There are the obvious benefits, like a boost in mindfulness, memory and communication skills. But studies have also found that writing in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system, more self-confidence and a higher IQ. On Sunday nights I’d have the most peaceful sleep, it would feel like I had just had a therapy session.

Research out of New Zealand suggests that the practice may even help wounds heal faster. How is this possible? James W. Pennebaker, a social psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin who is considered the pioneer of writing therapy, told the New York Times there isn’t one answer.

"It’s a whole cascade of things that occur,” he said

Labeling emotions and acknowledging traumatic events – both natural outcomes of journaling – have a known positive effect on people, Pennebaker said, and are often incorporated into traditional talk therapy.

If you are looking for an emotional outlet, then journing may be one of the solutions. If you are ready to start with your pen to paper, here’s the thing: there are no actual rules to journaling. You can start by writing one sentence every day. If you’re having trouble with a paper and ink journal, you can write it down on your phone or any electronic device or you can even start a blog.

KEEPING a journal can be therapeutic. | POLINA KOVALEVA Pexels