The Value of Journaling for Mental Helth
Something that I've found to be incredibly helpful to me over the last couple of months in regard to prioritizing my mental health is writing. The blog certainly has helped me to get the words out on paper since I'm building a brand and consistency is important, but writing in general can be quite therapeutic for people. Historically men haven't done a great job of journaling and that's unfortunate because it can be incredibly helpful to organize your thoughts and to discover things that bring you both joy and frustration.
You might ask how journaling can be a useful tool for improving mental health. Well, it allows you to process your emotions and thoughts. By getting those thoughts and feelings down on paper, you can gain a better understanding of your experiences and emotions, and work through difficult experiences. Somehow writing something down feels less uncomfortable than saying it out loud.
There are definitely things I wouldn't put out there for the world to see... say, on a social media post but writing them in my personal journal helps me feel like I'm not carrying the thought alone for some reason. Journaling can also help individuals identify patterns in their behavior like feeling down on a certain day of the week, after a night of heavy drinking, after dealing with a certain group of people, or when it's raining outside. Having the info in the journal can help you see if there are any trends. By recognizing those patterns, you can take steps to change or impact them and improve your overall well-being.
Unleash Your Creativity
Journaling can also be a creative outlet and provide a sense of accomplishment. Writing something out, thinking about it, and expressing yourself through written word and boost feelings of self-awareness and can pump the ole self-esteem. That being said, journaling can be a daunting task, especially for men who may not be used to expressing their emotions. It's important to remember that journaling is a personal activity, so you can make it whatever you want. Write about sports, fishing, golfing, hunting, a song you learned on guitar that week...really whatever you want it to be. Writing can be as simple as free-writing and letting thoughts flow, or it can be structured, with prompts and specific questions to reflect upon. The key is to find style that you enjoy and make it a part of your self-care routine. Guy time is important but having self-awareness in your quiet moments is equally important.
Journaling is Private and Confidential
Another cool thing about journaling is that it gives you a sense of privacy and confidentiality. You can write about your experiences and emotions without fear of judgment, and the journal can be a place where you can say anything and not worry about anyone finding out about it. I had a professor in college that told us he wrote on the front page of his journal something to the effect of "If anyone finds this journal and decides to read it, I hope terrible things come into your life. These thoughts are designed to be mine alone and not meant to ever be shared with the world." It's an aggressive play but it's an understandable one if you want your journal to be confidential. That level of privacy can be especially important for guys, who may feel pressure to hide their emotions and adhere to societal expectations of masculinity.
Wrapping Up
Here's a random side note...I hate the words "In conclusion." I realize they're some of the most widely utilized, and probably grammatically correct, words in the English language but they feel overly formal to me as a writer. Anyway, writing and journaling can be a powerful tool for improving mental health and well-being. It lets people process their emotions and thoughts, identify patterns that may be contributing to poor mental health, and provides a sense of privacy and confidentiality. Men who are trying to find ways to prioritize their mental health may find journaling to be especially helpful, as it provides a space for self-expression and allows them to process their emotions and thoughts in a way that feels safe and supportive. I'm going to drop a couple of links below for a traditional paper journal as well as a couple of digital ones just in case anybody is interested. I hope you've found value in today's article, and I hope that you find journaling as therapeutic as I have. Go do something positive and take care!
John
The Paperage Lined Journal is a best-selling hardcover journal is the perfect blend of style and function. With its durable and water-resistant vegan leather cover, 160 pages of premium, 100 gsm acid-free paper, and a variety of page styles (lined, blank, or dotted), this journal is perfect for notetaking, journaling, planning, and more. The journal features a lay-flat design for writing ease, a ribbon bookmark, and an elastic closure band. The journal also includes an inner expandable pocket and a sheet of sticker labels for personalizing the cover and spine. Available in a range of vibrant and bold colors, this journal is a must-have for anyone who wants to keep their thoughts and ideas organized and stylish.
This one is a more budget friendly option. XP-Pen Note Plus is a smart notepad that is compatible with iOS and Android systems. You can connect your device and start writing, drawing, and recording on the go with ease. With a built-in 1000 mAh battery, it supports up to 16 hours of work time and features a magnetic charging interface. XP-Pen Note Plus is compatible with A5 paper notebooks and uses an advanced handwriting recognition engine to differentiate between writing and drawing. With Bluetooth 5.0 and high-precision technology, you can digitize your handwriting and synchronize it in real-time. The device is easy to use with a Hall Switch that turns it on and off and has high-capacity offline storage for 50 pages of notes. Transform your traditional handwriting into digital form with XP-Pen Note Plus.
This one is probably more for guys who want to be able to take their thoughts or designs anywhere they go. It's a bit aggressive for simple journaling but a really neat tool that I discovered while writing this article, so I wanted to share it. The Geniatech Android E-Ink ePaper Tablet KloudNote is a professional e-notebook and e-book reader that lets you access your notes and books from anywhere. It features a 10.3" glare-free screen, quad-core processor, Wi-Fi and BT connectivity, and real-time cloud synchronization. The capacitive touch and electromagnetic touch provide a smooth writing experience, and the device allows you to record handwritten text, pictures, audio, and more. Ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a versatile and convenient tool for taking notes.
About the Author:
John Lockman is passionate about promoting men's mental health. Having lost a family member to suicide at an early age, he is committed to raising awareness about the disproportionate number of men affected by this devastating issue. Through his own personal experiences and his website, www.thelockmanlounge.com, John hopes to help men think differently about how to prioritize their well-being and become more comfortable acknowledging and processing their feelings in a healthy way.
In addition to his passion for mental health advocacy, John also has almost two decades of experience in the business world. Most recently, he oversaw roughly 100 million dollars of annual revenue and was responsible for managing a team of 75 employees. In this role, John had a significant impact on customer service, profitability, employee retention, and marketplace growth. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, John is a seasoned professional with valuable insights to share.
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