Journaling for Health
1. Write about how you feel about everyday events; writing about the events is fine, but be sure to include the feelings. The goal is to get the intense emotions on paper and out of your body/mind.
2. Write about the issues that are most impacting your life today, particularly any health concerns.
3. Make a list of everything causing you stress'which can lead to ill-health, then note what you can (or cannot) do about each item.
4. If you can't get an event out of your mind'like an unpleasant conversation with a co-worker'write what you wish the conversation had unfolded, in dialogue form.
5. Create a mantra or positive affirmation, then journal ways to fulfill the affirmation. An example of a mantra might be: 'I am safe, my life is filled with peace.'
Finally, re-read your journals on a consistent basis, looking for self-defeating or negative patterns. Copyright 2004 Patti Testerman
About the author: Patti Testerman is content manager at JournalGenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Want to discover self-defeating patterns, or find better ways to communicate in a relationship? Check out our site.
