The Beauty of Journaling: How it helps to cope with Depression?

The practice of maintaining a journal dates back centuries. During our childhood, most of us used to write about our feelings, our daily activities, what we liked, and what we didn’t like in a journal. But, as we grew and other priorities came to the fore, this habit gradually faded. As adults, we don’t think of writing or expressing our feelings and feel it is just a ‘tedious task’. But, dairy writing or journaling can be more beneficial to us than we think. 

Journaling is also called ‘Expressive Writing’. It is one of the many methods medical experts suggest to control or cope with depression. Journaling is a kind of activity or a hobby where you write about your feelings. It helps you bring out your innermost feelings and express them through writing. 

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health condition characterised by prolonged sadness. It negatively affects the way you think, feel and perceive things. A person suffering from depression may lose interest in activities they once liked to do. The symptoms and the severity of this condition may vary from one individual to another. 

How does Journaling help you cope with Depression?

Boosts our Mindfulness

According to many therapists, journaling is an excellent tool for coping with depression, as it provides us with a safe space to process and explore our feelings without judgment. Journaling will help you explore your thoughts and feelings that can affect your mood and your everyday life. Since you are writing about your feelings, visuals and observations, it will help you decipher your inner thoughts and, in the process, help to improve your mindfulness. 

Helps process our Emotions

Depression can bring out many negative feelings in an individual. By journaling, you will be able to manage these emotions. Medical experts suggest that when there are a lot of negative thoughts brewing in our head, writing them down in a paper will help us look into the perspective and make it seem less daunting. 

Help in Identifying the Triggers 

Writing in your journal will help you identify the thoughts and behaviours that make you feel sad or more depressed. As you write every day, you can identify certain patterns. Observing these patterns will help you analyse what events trigger your negative thoughts. 

Helps you take control

When you are writing, it helps you control your thoughts and analyse what you are feeling. It will help you dampen the feeling of worthlessness and give you a new perspective on the emotions you are experiencing. 

Helps you be Self-aware

Sometimes, you may be surprised to see what you write. Writing can help you bring out your innermost emotions and help you realise your true self. As you write, you may realise what is bothering you and getting your mood down, which might have been difficult to understand until then. 

Helps in your Therapy

When you write a journal, you can show it to your therapist, and they will help you move forward. Journaling can play an active role in the treatment process because it helps you realise and identify when you are feeling the worst and need extra help