A mental health journal is a powerful coping strategy that reduces the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression.
In our busy lives, it is easy to underestimate the cathartic nature of the act of writing our thoughts and feelings from pen to paper, but through journaling, you expose yourself to your fears, anxieties, and character during a time of meditation.
We have compiled a list of 10 books to help you start journaling for better mental health.
10 books that will help you start journaling for better mental health
1. The Daily Stoic Journal by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
Ryan Holiday, with the help of Stephen Hanselman, condenses and applies ancient Stoic philosophy to the twenty-first-century reader. The guide is complete with short Stoic lessons that will change not only the way that you journal, but also your daily perspective.
The Daily Stoic Journal aims to help you understand three main disciplines: perception, action, and will and apply these reflections to begin or end the day. In the face of depression, grief, or insecurity, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius lend their hands to nurse us with Stoicism’s unusual and kind wisdom.
2. Mrs Hinch: The Activity Journal
Do you long to be organised but just need the space to categorise your to-do lists? Mrs Hinch’s Activity Journal is the perfect tool to help you take out time for yourself to destress. The journal has a bit of fun on every page and includes activities, puzzles, brief anecdotes, and plenty of space for you-time. Whether you’re a Mrs Hinch fan or not, this activity journal is a self-care and maintenance must-have.
3. Opening Up and Write it Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain by James W. Pennebaker and Joshua M. Smyth
Opening Up will give you an insight into your behaviour and thought process so that you can banish negative thoughts readily before they attack and replace them with a positive outlook. Pennebaker and Smyth will guide you through writing practices while demonstrating the scientific research behind expressive writing.
If you want to start your anxiety journal without thinking too hard about how to navigate your scrambled thoughts and emotions, this guide provides prompts and questions so that you can write a journal to overcome your depression and anxiety.
4. A Year of You: A Seasonal Guide to Boosting Your Brilliance by Trigger Publishing
A Year of You is a tool to help the reader destress and make productive steps towards working on their mental health through simple activities that practice mindfulness. The seasonal guide will help you bring yourself to focus throughout the year. There are activities for every kind of emotion or level of motivation to help you move up the ladder to better mental health at your own pace.
5. Tap to Tidy: Organising, Crafting & Creating Happiness in a Messy World by Stacey Solomon
Do you find solace in clearing out, cleaning up, or making something that makes you proud? Then you might have something in common with everyone’s favourite Scouser (apart from Jodie Comer), Stacey Solomon.
To regularly partake in tasks that have a low mental input but a high reward output and can become a form of meditation. Tap to Tidy offers a unique blend of household and craft activities to stimulate your brain into relaxation and thought journaling so that you can make the most of time for yourself.
6. My Feeling Journal from Ups!de Down Books
If you are looking for a simplistic guide to your emotions with plenty of space to delve into your daily emotions for reflection. My Feelings Journal is ideal if you are attending regular counselling or therapy appointments to help keep a log of your high and low points.
7. My Mindful Journal from Ups!de Down Books
What does it mean to be mindful?
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present so that you can increase your awareness of your surroundings, whatever you’re doing. Often, we catch ourselves mourning the past or feeling insecure about the future. My Mindful Journal provides a space for you to find your zen with exercises and plenty of space to write your reflections.
8. My Power Journal from Ups!de Down Books
My Power Journal is full of activities and exercises that help you become your own best friend. The journal encourages you to write positive affirmations and love letters to yourself so that you can discover your inner strength and complete self-love.
If you think all that may sound cheesy, ask yourself: When was the last time I gave myself a genuine compliment? How would I feel if I noted one positive thing that I love about myself each day?
If you want to exchange your inner critic for a best friend, start with this journal.
9. This Book Will Make You Sleep by Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar
Many of us have a tangled and unhealthy relationship with sleep; lying awake with thoughts streaming relentlessly across our minds. The number of minutes you lay your head down on a pillow can have a proportionate impact on your mood, productivity, and sanity.
Dr Jessamy and Jo Usmar seek to change the way that you think about sleep and your relationship with your body and mind. Through the exercises and tips, you will find a way to use journaling to soothe your thoughts and tuck them into bed for better quality sleep.
10. Breathe Out: A Creative Guide to Happiness for Teen Minds
Breathe Out is a unique guide written for adolescent minds who may be feeling the impact of school, pressures of responsibilities, negative influence on social media and anything else the world can throw at a teenager.
Getting to grips with your emotions and self-expression is something that everyone struggles with regardless of age. If you can practice how to journal at a young age, you are more likely to be a self-aware and emotionally mature adult who can take on any challenge.
Filled with various activities and influential reminders, the guide will help you maintain an anxiety diary, practice mindfulness, and take out time for your well-being.
All books are available at triggerhub.org
