The health benefits of journaling have already been scientifically proven according to Doctor Steven Gans. His article advises the benefits of journaling to:

• Include a decrease in the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and other health conditions.
• Improve one’s cognitive functioning.
• Strengthen the immune system and thereby prevent illness.
• Counteract many of the negative effects of stress on the body.

With the assistance of another web site, which lists 100 benefits of Journaling, I attempted to narrow the list down to just 10.

1.
Journaling Has Been Proven to Relieve Stress

Journaling has long been used by therapists to aid and assist patience in healing. A journal provides the patient with a friend as they journey towards recovery. The words and pages of a journal are personal, accepting, non judgmental, trusting, caring, honest, close and intimate. On a blank page is the opportunity to imprint one’s guarded secrets and not be laughed at or misunderstood. It is therapeutic to unload one’s thoughts on paper.

I remember going through a particular rough point in my life and being unable to sleep because my heart was breaking. I kept a journal by my bed and poured my thoughts into it and then I was able to return to bed and sleep knowing that my pain was etched into those pages and I could review the thoughts later and not be absorbed in them, as I attempted to sleep.

2.
Gives One Insight to Their Inner Thoughts

While reading or reviewing prior entries, reflections can be made. “I remember how I felt that day or during that time frame. No wonder I behaved in that manner.” This will enable the writer to become aware of the rationale that was used when certain behavior took place.

3. Reveals Solutions to Problems

While making one’s review, thought processes are opened up to possible solutions to problems. “Now that I think back to this incident perhaps I could have asked for help, or perhaps I could have done this differently.”

4.
Helps in Establishing Priorities

What may have seemed like the most important thing in life may be shown in its true perspective when put on paper. Sometimes life gets all wrapped up and consumed by trivia, but a writer’s focus can become clearer when they become the reader of what they wrote.

5.
Improves Memory of Certain Events

Emotions can cloud the memory, but writing can help to clear the emotional fog. Writing down the events shortly after they happen will help to enlighten the writer/reader after the fog has lifted. Writing and reading help to lift the fog.

6.
Shifts Your Perspective

As one puts the pen to paper and shifts the attention to capturing their thoughts on paper, new perspective is gained. Every time the possibilities are explored the mind is given the options to see behavior, inner impulses, and consequences more clearly

As a writer one obtains a different slant, one of the bystander. As writing occurs, a writer tries to process thoughts in order to portray the whole picture and give the audience (even if the audience is an audience of one) the benefit of knowing as much about the circumstance as possible, for example the five “w”s. If the writer is exploring the “story” in such a manner, he or she will also be able to focus clearer and get the big picture.

It also points out the daily victories. “I really had a rotten day that day, and you know what I survived. I guess it was not really life threatening after all.”

7.
Reveals Patterns and Cycles

If there are behavioral patterns or cycles, writing will establish them and the writer/reader will be able to see them. For example: Just prior to eating cheese cake, I argued with my spouse. I eat cheese cake to relieve the frustration of not being able to effectively communicate my needs. One can examine their reactions to certain triggers, and help to change the behavior.

8.
Awakens Your Inner Voice

Journaling enables one to voice thoughts that one might not feel comfortable saying out loud. A blank sheet of paper is less threatening or intimidating than the face of a live person. It will not laugh or ridicule. By putting thoughts down on paper one has the opportunity to take their time and think more clearly. Next time a similar argument presents itself the words are available to effectively communicate, and now the writer can identify their inner thoughts and voice them more confidently.

9.
Aids in the Thought Processes

Now that the inner voice has been able to be heard, the writer can acknowledge other feelings that have been hidden and sort through related issues.

10.
Empowers the Writer to Shape His or Her Future

What a wonderful opportunity to get to know oneself better and to realize the inner strengths that have been there all along. By reading and writing one’s own history the writer knows that they have the power to change their destiny. Understanding ourselves is the key.

By understanding oneself better the writer now has a better chance of understanding others and interacting at work and home in a manner that is more beneficial.

Through out history we have gained valuable knowledge through journal, log, or diary notes such as the reading of Anne Frank’s Diary or the ship logs of Christopher Columbus’. Who knows what the future holds? Your journal may someday be of great value, but even if is not, it can be of immeasurable benefit to those who matter most – you and your loved ones.