With the start of a new year comes the pressure to set overachieving goals as “resolutions” that will inevitably end up forgotten about in a month. Luckily, there’s one habit that can easily be adopted this 2022 that comes with positivity and is sure to improve your mental health. And this practice is… journaling! In the words of the University of Rochester’s Medical Center, “It’s simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. And if you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal can be a great idea. It can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.” 

Journaling has been shown to help manage anxiety, reduce stress, cope with depression, and deal with overwhelming emotions. By writing down your thoughts and concerns, you are able to better prioritize your problems in life and work out proper solutions. Navigating life with mental illness can be tricky, however, writing down how you feel can help you recognize day-to-day triggers and the best ways you cope with them. Along with working through tough emotions, journaling offers a space to build up your self-esteem with positive self-talk. 

Getting started is simple and there’s no pressure to stick with it once you begin. You can use any notebook you prefer and just start writing. Sometimes looking up prompts and reflective questions online can spark some self-reflection for you to write about. There’s no right or wrong way to journal, it can be whatever you make it.  So, if you’re looking for a new habit to improve your mental wellness and boost your self-esteem, try picking up a notebook and a pen and go journal!