Journal writing has the power
to heal.
Recent studies indicate that journal writing helps people identify and process troubling feelings or events, and find good in a challenging situation. This post is Part 4 in my Healing Series.
Recent studies indicate that journal writing helps people identify and process troubling feelings or events, and find good in a challenging situation. This post is Part 4 in my Healing Series.
One study where journal writers were divided into three groups revealed...
"Writers focusing on cognitions and emotions developed greater awareness of the
positive benefits of the stressful event than the other two groups. This effect
was apparently mediated by greater cognitive processing during writing.” This report was published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2002, authors Ullrich and Lutgendorf.
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Readers of this blog are aware that my adult son died at the end of last year, and it is a tragic loss.
Each day I choose to get out of bed, and find something meaningful, kind, and healing to do.
I notice when I'm consistent with self-care routines, I experience less stress, anxiety, and feel more present in my life.
In fact, I don't think I'd still be standing without amping up self-care.
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I put a new twist on my recovery from this trauma by combining grief journal writing with uplifting quotes that I continue to recite, ponder, and visualize.
I'm sharing them with you, because I hope when or if you are grieving or feeling despair they can help you.
I continue to use prayer, body work including chakra aligning, meditation, yoga, and nature walks to come to terms with the loss of my loved one.
Are you experiencing sorrow, whether it's the pain of going through a divorce, being laid off from a job, or other major life change?
The powerful pairing of journal writing and insightful quotations can bring comfort, and has led me to greater self-awareness.
NOW ON TO THE JOURNAL PROMPTS
Designate a notebook as a grief or healing journal, and be sure to use paper and pen or colored pencils. This tactile way of writing will help you connect with your senses, and is a tangible, grounding way to discover the health of your inner life.
Journal Prompt 1
Ask yourself: Am I willing to admit I need support and do I choose to speak with friends, relatives, a grief group, or a counsellor about my emotional pain? Explain.
Then, journal to record what your pain feels like in your mind, body, and heart.
Journal Prompt 2
When you feel vulnerable (like now), you may need to keep your thoughts, feelings, and some of your reactions private.
When you feel vulnerable (like now), you may need to keep your thoughts, feelings, and some of your reactions private.
A grief/healing journal is a good place to write about those things you're not yet ready or comfortable talking about with others.
Journal writing can help you vent intense emotions, and free up self-compassion for your frustrations, confusion, or troubling thoughts.
"A grief journal is a safe, nonjudgmental place to share raw emotions about death, change, fear, anger, and heartbreak so let your feelings rip!" Nancy Andres
Journal writing can help you vent intense emotions, and free up self-compassion for your frustrations, confusion, or troubling thoughts.
"A grief journal is a safe, nonjudgmental place to share raw emotions about death, change, fear, anger, and heartbreak so let your feelings rip!" Nancy Andres
Journal Prompt 3
Do you think you have to be strong, silent, or grieve alone? Do you know that grief work has no rules or regulations about intensity, duration, or style? Share what you think or feel about this.
Journal Prompt 4
Are you willing to increase self-care while grieving, and do you need a reminder to treat yourself with Tender Loving Care (TLC)? Write about this now.
Journal Prompt 5
Do you regret past attitudes or behavior? You can't change how you acted then, but you can do things differently starting right now. Write about self-forgiveness. Use the quote below for inspiration.
Journal Prompt 5
Do you regret past attitudes or behavior? You can't change how you acted then, but you can do things differently starting right now. Write about self-forgiveness. Use the quote below for inspiration.
Journal Prompt 6
I'm noticing a slight improvement in my outlook over the last couple of days. I sense that my practice of making a gratitude list and counting my blessings each day has improved my perspective.
Do you think focusing on gratitude would work or not work for you and why? Write about that now.
Here are several links to illustrate how journal writing, meditation, self-compassion, color energy work, and radical self-care can help you move forward.
Healing and Recovery through Self-compassion
Colors for Self-compassion, Healing, and Recovery
15 Healthy Ways to Nix Stress
Self-care Activities to Encourage Optimal Health
Journaling about stressful events: effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression
Use Crown Chakra Energy to Integrate Mind, Body, Spirit
Thanks for coming by and letting me share with you. It helps to know you're out there and care.
Please comment in the space provided below. I ask that you don't put links in your comments, or I won't be able to publish them that way.
Do you think focusing on gratitude would work or not work for you and why? Write about that now.
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Here are several links to illustrate how journal writing, meditation, self-compassion, color energy work, and radical self-care can help you move forward.
Healing and Recovery through Self-compassion
15 Healthy Ways to Nix Stress
Self-care Activities to Encourage Optimal Health
Journaling about stressful events: effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression
Use Crown Chakra Energy to Integrate Mind, Body, Spirit
Thanks for coming by and letting me share with you. It helps to know you're out there and care.
Please comment in the space provided below. I ask that you don't put links in your comments, or I won't be able to publish them that way.
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#MLSTL
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