We focused on stress reduction in our last blog post and wanted to continue with some suggestions for additional stress reducing activities. Many people have found that journaling is a very effective method for dealing with stress. Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a personal expression that you don’t have to share with anyone other than yourself. Think of it as having a conversation with yourself that may help you organize your thoughts, both mentally and emotionally.
Here is some insight from a RHS employee who routinely journals to deal with her daily stressors:
“A few years ago a friend of mine gave me some advice on how to relieve stress. She said, ‘Why don’t you try keeping a journal?’
I thought the idea sounded great, but I had never kept a journal before, and I had no idea how to start one or where to even begin writing one.
Well, eight years later, I am still journaling.
Sometimes I journal once or twice a week; sometimes I write in my journal once a month. It all depends on what is going on in my life. It depends on if I feel the need to just write down my thoughts.
Journaling has helped me to express myself without any type of judgments. I am able to write down my frustrations, my emotions, and my thoughts on whatever is going on at that time of my life, good or bad.
I usually write as if I am writing a letter to someone. Some days I ask questions about why things happen, knowing all too well that I will not get any answers. But for some odd reason, it helps.
Journaling doesn’t give me answers or solutions to my problems; it helps me to relax. And when I feel relaxed, I sleep better, I feel better and I am better.”
- Michelle
Many IVF patients have tried journaling and have found it to help relieve some of the anxiety associated with the process. There are many ways to write in a journal:
- Use it to record your goals
- Praise yourself
- Give yourself advice
- Reflect
- Keep a record of activities or doctor’s visits
At some point, being able to go back and read your journal entries could provide insight to just how far you have come in your journey.
Journaling has helped other people who are experiencing tough medical situations. One example is a study that discusses how journaling has helped cancer patients to get well and overcome their stress. For more information about this study, visit http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/the-power-of-words-for-cancer-patients/.