Journaling: Psych Tips Issue 23

Journals are an important source of renewal and growth. Over the next two weeks, we´ll discover the power of journaling with tips designed to help you use your journal in new ways. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Tip of the Week: Journaling Tips ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The unsent letter is a powerful journaling technique that allows you to express your experiences and feelings in a private and safe space. Begin as if writing a letter to someone, perhaps a person that you´d like to express your feelings towards. As you write, you may experience an emotional release. If you chose, share your writing with someone or keep it private; it has served its cathartic purpose. Some of you may be wondering," Why should I keep a journal?" Here´s why: Recent research suggests that writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings in a personal journal is an important tool for your emotional and physical health. Yes, physical health! In this study, participants who wrote in a journal regularly demonstrated fewer visits to the doctor, fewer sick days, improved immune functioning, and generally improved physical health. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Recommended Site of the Week ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This article from SimplerLiving.com discusses five ways to make the most of your journal: http://www.simplerliving.com/innerjourney22.htm Tara Kuther, Ph.D., is a professor of developmental psychology and freelance writer. Visit her latest site, ImprovingMe.com, for self improvement, self help, and personal growth resources. Http://www.ImprovingMe.com