5 min read
You may wonder: how can keeping a journal help me? Will it really have a true and long-lasting positive impact on my mental health? After all, it's just words on a page, right? How much good can that really do? Yet, there’s a reason why some of the world’s most successful and happy people keep journals such. Think Oprah Winfrey, Emma Watson, Warren Buffett, Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga.
So, what is the secret behind journaling?
Journaling allows us to connect more deeply with ourselves, our values, emotions, and goals, allowing us to gain clarity and purpose.
So what does science tell us?
Starting the day with gratitude reflections is an ancient meditative practice that has been proven for generations to improve attitudes toward life, making it a powerful tool for emotional well-being. At the same time there is so much new science that shows that journaling is clinically proven to help you navigate change. At Sachi Skin, we believe in tapping on such heritage practices and to value science-backed insights toward achieving better emotional and mental states.
The States of Change AM/PM Daily Journal can guide you in gratitude journaling for the next six months to achieve the following effects on the mind and body:
1. Self Awareness
Journaling helps increase self-awareness because it requires us to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that we are all works in progress. This deliberate act of prioritising our growth and mental well-being nourishes the relationship we have with ourselves, building up our self-love.
2. Decrease Depressive Symptoms
Daily gratitude reflections let you focus on your blessings in life rather than the negativities.
This simple shift in thinking styles "increase(s) positive affect, subjective happiness, and life satisfaction, while decreasing negative affect and depression symptoms" (L.F. Cunha et al., 2019).
3. Improves Relationships
Expressing gratitude for others, as well as for one's own life, has shown to improve interpersonal relationships. A study on couples found that people who took time to express gratitude for their partner not only felt more positive towards their partners, but also more comfortable in expressing concerns about their relationship and establishing lines of communication.
4. Builds resilience
Starting your day by counting your blessings sets you in a more positive frame of mind, helping you cope better with any challenges you may face. Pairing this with a 5 minute journal reflection on the challenges you have faced, and looking at ways to improve and move forward, helps you become more resilient in facing similar challenges in the future. Even in an extreme case, like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found gratitude to be a contributor to resilience for its victims, helping them manage depression and "fueling post-crisis growth.”
Kicking Off
As humans, we choose what we focus on. Creating a space for positive self-talk, wjole identifying negative thoughts and feelings, and being grateful, even if only for a few moments of your day, has the power to transform you, your attitude and your life. Commiting to journaling does not have to be a burden. If you are a beginner, you can start a few times a week.
Simply set out 5 minutes to reflect and see your progress over a month. This will help you track the progress you've made while journaling.
Our journal is our promise to you. We're committed to changing the way you think and feel about your skin. We want you to always feel comfortable in the skin you are in. Happy journaling, friends, and we are here if you need any help along the way! 🤗
