Many people use a journal for planning, drawing or writing. But now that we’re staying at home until the coronavirus pandemic is over, a journal could also be used as a source of comfort.
There are some go-to activities most of us have probably been choosing to fill our days with lately, like watching a television series or favorite movies. While comforting, those may not necessarily be helping you to cope with all the changes happening around us.
Consider taking up journaling to help bring you a sense of control, calmness and, hopefully, a deeper understanding of your emotions.
Ease Your Mind During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Have your thoughts been racing more than usual lately? Are you finding yourself lying in bed, unable to sleep because you’re worried about the future or the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus?
Before bedtime, try writing down three things you’d like to accomplish the following day. Maybe you’re balancing working from home while trying to keep homeschool in session for your kids. It may feel overwhelming, but you can do it with clear, attainable daily goals.
By writing your tasks for the day in your journal, you are helping your brain relax and setting a plan to help ease those racing thoughts. If specific tasks feel like too much right now, you could just try writing down what your hopes are for the following day. This way, you have an outline of where you want the day to lead and then if it begins to feel out of control, you can look back at your notes and try to get back on track.
Acknowledge Your Stress About COVID-19
Feeling stress is one thing, but trying to brush off that stress without working through it may raise anxiety levels even more. So many of us are feeling added stress in our lives because of the changes in routine, lack of routine, and overall uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. It’s absolutely fine to be feeling that stress. Writing down your concerns can help you work through them, rather than ignore them.
When you have a moment of free time, take out your journal and write down each of the things you’re worried about. Maybe it’s a worry about your kids and coronavirus, or an elderly loved one, or even just how you’ll continue to feed your family nutritious meals with what’s in the pantry. Instead of the stress being in your head, now it’s on paper. By venting your negative thoughts, it’s a way of both acknowledging how you’re feeling and sorting through concerns.
Recount Your Gratitude, Despite the Coronavirus Pandemic
At the same time as you’re feeling stress, you may be forgetting the positives in life. After you’ve transferred your more negative thoughts from your mind to your journal, don’t forget to also add what you’re grateful for. You have more time with your family, hopefully more time to exercise, cook meals at home and get in touch with loved ones, since they’re at home too.
To balance out the negative, soak up the positive and look back on it when you need gentle reminders. These blessings can be as simple as being able to take in some fresh air, getting a few minutes of sunshine and having time to write in your journal.
Regularly writing down what’s on your mind, no matter what it is, can help release your emotions, make sense of your surroundings and improve your overall well-being. If you haven’t tried journaling yet, now may be just the right time for you.
Be Informed and Feel Empowered
If you would like more information surrounding coronavirus, please visit our Coronavirus Resource Hub. You can also learn more about managing anxiety and stress during coronavirus from the CDC.
