Seven Benefits of Journaling, Plus Eight Journal Types to Get You Started

One thing I've done for years, whether I was working on accomplishing goals or not, is keep some kind of journal. Whether I wrote down my thoughts about the day's events or kept a more structured day planner, I've kept one kind of journal or another since I was a teenager.

I've found journaling important for many reasons, and science backs up my findings. I'll explain the seven main benefits of journaling and provide infromation on eight journal types you can keep to get started.

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling has many benefits. Some of them include the following:

Helping you accomplish goals. Your journal can be a useful tool for keeping a record of your goals. It keeps you on track and helps you stay focused. Speicificity is key.

Record accomplishments and development. If you journal regularly, you can look back at previous entries to see your progress.

Build your self-esteem. Seeing your accomplishments can also increase your self-confidence. Looking back at your challenges and seeing how far you have come can bring you a sense of pride.

Communicate and write better. It takes practice to improve at writing, just like anything else. By journaling daily, you develop your writing skills. Communicating with yourself in a journal can enhance your communication skills.

Get inspired. Leonardo da Vinci's journal has some amazing invention ideas. Journaling can also be a time for brainstorming or just running wild with your imagination. Write or sketch to see where inspiration takes you.

Improve memory. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that writing down your thoughts reduces unwanted thoughts about unpleasant experiences and enhances information recall. Even writing something down signals your brain that you want to remember it. That's why taking notes when learning something new is so effective.

Learn about the various types of journaling

If you're ready to start keeping a journal, consider these options.

Stream of consciousness journaling - I do this in the morning for five minutes before I start my day. I write down my thoughts as they occur. The thoughts don't have to be coherent - you're just capturing them as they happen.

Dream journaling -Write down your dreams every night to connect with yourself. Make sure you write in your journal as soon as you wake up.

Food journaling - Those who are trying to lose weight or maintain their weight loss will find this helpful. Write down what you eat every day. As a result, you'll be more aware of your food choices. If weight loss is a struggle, tracking your diet can show you what you need to change.

Fitness journaling - Track your workouts to keep active. You can see your progress over time when you keep this type of journal.

Gratitude journal - At the end of each day, write down everything you are thankful for. I like to try and list at least three things I'm thankful for each day. Doing this helps me see the good things I have in my life when I'm feeling down on myself.

Sketch journal - If you like to draw rather than write, keeping a sketch journal is a great way to show your emotions, opinions, or inspirations.

Day's events journal - Track your expeirences during the day, whether you're making observations or describing new recipes.

To-do list - This isn't really a journal, but keeping a written to-do list instead of a mental list can help you remember things. As you complete each task, you'll get a sense of satisfaction.

These are just a few different journal types you can keep. You can journal any way you want - the choice is yours. To feel good, it's important to take care of your physical, mental, and spirtual health, and journaling helps you do that.