Intro

Welcome to the AI blog

Welcome to the Animated Imagination blog space. In short, this space is laid out in little chapters exploring ideas, digital trends, interviews with inspirational leaders and so much more. Have fun being an explorer of curiously satisfying information.

No better way to set the scene than by going right back to the beginning, journaling is where it started.

Benefits Of Journaling-Power Of Journaling To Improve Efficiency

Dear Diary . . . I know, you’re about to start groaning already. Right?

"Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind." — Natalie Goldberg

We all have haunting and hilarious images of sticker-covered notebooks that were filled with day-to-day recitations dancing loud in our heads. Or perhaps you were more of the lock-and-key individual who used to hide diaries so your siblings or parents would never find them. Either way, you might have had a love-hate relationship with journaling.

Truth be told, journaling is not just for the older or wiser section. It's simply that you need to do it day in and day out. Yep, it’s true. Here are some good-for-you virtues of journaling:

  • Reduces Stress. High-stress levels can be devastating to your mental, physical, and emotional health. Journaling can be an amazing good-for-you habit for you to minimize the impact of physical stressors on your general and overall health. Interestingly, a study has revealed that expressive writing for approximately 15-20 minutes every day three to five times over 4 months can improve liver functionality and reduce blood pressure. If this is not all, writing about stressful and challenging experiences can help you manage similar circumstances in a better way.

  • Keeps Memory Sharp. Journaling helps you keep the brain in a good and relaxed state. It helps in enhancing comprehension and memory along with enhancing our working memory capacity that may reflect in improved cognitive processing.

  • Improves Immune Function. It may come as a complete surprise to you, but expressive writing can minimize your risk of illness and strengthen your immunity. According to a study, those who keep themselves engaged with regular journaling have improved immune system functioning as journaling strengthens the immune cells of the body. It is also useful to minimize symptoms of severe and debilitating health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. It can even help in healing wounds faster and enhance lung and liver functions.

How You Can Use Writing To Enhance Your Mental Health

“The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another, and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.” — J.M. Barrie

Some journaling tips for you:

  • Write in a personalized and private space where there are no distractions.

  • Write at least 3-4 times every day. Be a regular and consistent contributor.

  • Don’t preoccupy yourself with managing perfect spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Just pen down your feelings and emotions and don't censor yourself at any time. Be truthful with yourself. Don’t edit; just write.

  • Keep the journal private; it should be only for your eyes, and no one else.

When you journal, just remember the simple acronym: WRITE!

W: What do you want to write about? Give your journal a name and put all your feelings and emotions on the paper.

R: Review or reflect on your journal. Start with a small 5-10 meditation or mindfulness session of your own. Take a while to be still and calm your breath. Start with sentences with “I” statements such as “I want…”, “I feel…”, and “I think…” Also, try to keep things in the present tense.

I: Investigate your feelings, emotions, and thoughts through your writing. Just in case your mind starts to wander or you are out of things to write, calm down and take a few moments to re-focus.

T: Time yourself to make sure you write every day for at least 5-10 minutes, without fail.

E: Exit strategically and with a sense of purpose and introspection. Sum up your personal takeaway in one or two sentences, starting with statements such as “I’m aware of…”, “I feel…”, and “As I read this, I notice…”.

Thanks for reading, and happy journaling!

Shireen Haddadeen