A research paper written by Karen A. Baikie and Kay Wilhelm, and published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, asserts that engaging in expressive writing can result in overall long-term improvements in emotional and physical well-being. 

You can read more about the study here: Emotional and Physical Health Benefits of Expressive Writing.

Researchers also believe that writing on a regular basis makes you smarter! Dr. Judy Willis writes, “The practice of writing can enhance the brain’s intake, processing, retaining, and retrieving of information. Through writing, students can increase their comfort with and success in understanding complex material, unfamiliar concepts, and subject-specific vocabulary.” To learn more about how a daily writing practice can enhance a student’s academic performance, read The Brain-Based Benefits of Writing for Math and Science Learning.

So whether you crack open that pretty notebook and start writing expressively, or you use your journal to track your finances, manage your health, or map out your long-term goals, your daily writing practice can help organize your thoughts and, in turn, make you feel more emotionally and physically balanced!

Journaling Prompt: What are some ways that you can use a journal to keep track of your health and wellness goals?