Stress Relief from Online Journaling

I have found that online journaling has contributed to my emotional well-being in very positive ways. When my dad died a little over 2 years ago, I joined an online grief group, and journaled my feelings daily. I found that the more I told my story, the more healing I received. There's just something about getting those feelings out, and down on paper that brings stress relief.

There is also scientific research to back up journaling as a stress reliever. According to Kathleen Adams, psychotherapist and best selling author, "Scientific research shows that brief, intense bursts of emotional release writing--only 15 minutes a day, for only four consecutive days--is correlated with increased immune system functioning that can last for several weeks."

In times of stress, grief, or emotional trauma, our immune system can become weakened, and we are more susceptible to disease and illness, including colds and flu. Chronic stress also affects the heart, the blood vessels, and the the nervous system. Stress can lead to depression, and it can also adversely affect existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of health care involves stress related disorders. Isn't it wonderful to realize that putting our thoughts down on paper can actually boost our immune system and alleviate stress.

Journaling helps us to define how we're feeling, and to focus on the problem areas, in order to find solutions for working through the stress. We are processing the grief, stress, anxiety, and fears as we write. Journaling can become a form of therapy. If we don't clarify these feelings, they will often cause us to be moody, tense, and depressed. Stress can cause stomach problems, headaches, back pain, and difficulty sleeping.

I have been through a very anxious time recently, caring for my widowed mom, and I have found that writing in my journal about my daily fears and frustrations, is a great outlet for my fatigue and stress. When I write down my concerns, it helps me to realize what I can control, and what I can't.

I can also say things in my journal that I would never say directly to others. I can take off my mask, and say what I really feel, without regard to everyday social restrictions. Journaling helps me find my inner voice. If I have an opinion about something, I can state it without fear of reprisal in my journal. (Unless my enemies are reading my blog.) I find journaling very much like talking to a counselor. (And it is far less expensive.) When I am hurt, I feel that I can release my pain and stress through the written word.

For me, it is also important to include uplifting thoughts in my journal, about how I can effectively cope with what is happening in my life. It becomes a form of self-talk that might include Scripture verses and positive affirmations. In that way, journaling does not just become a "pity party" script. Some people prefer keeping a gratitude journal, which takes the focus off of the negative events of life. I find that both approaches work well for me, so I combine them in my blog.

Something else I have enjoyed in my online journal writing, is to include a song (with video) that goes along with my thoughts. Many people who read my journal, tell me how much they enjoy the music that accompanies my entries. (See my sources for a link to my online journal-Sparkle's Search For Happiness.)

This is not the time to censor your feelings, or to try to write the perfect manuscript. This is the time to be emotional and philosophical. In my journal, I sometimes include poems that express my deepest feelings. I will often read my entries aloud, and this seems to further contribute to expelling the negative feelings, particularly if I am angry about something.

Remember if you are doing online journaling, people do have access to your writing, so if you don't want to share your heart freely with the Internet world, you might want to choose writing in a personal journal. For myself, I have greatly enjoyed online blogging without restriction or restraint, and I like the fact that I can get feedback on my writing from others. I have made some very good friends that way as well.

Whatever your reasons initially may be, I believe that as you continue to journal, you will find a tremendous emotional release from tension and stress, and you might also discover some things about yourself. (The link to my online journal is the first one listed in my sources.)

Sources: http://sparkle333.wordpress.com/
http://womensissues.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=womensissues&cdn=newsissues&tm=10&gps=218_1247_844_589&f=10&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.journaltherapy.com/articles/cjtsec08_i.htm
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/journals3.html
http://www.vidaville.com/html/Journal-Your-Stress-Away-p-16436.html
http://health.yahoo.com/stress-overview/stress-management/healthwise--rlxsk.html
http://www.meritcare.com/hwdb/showtopic.aspx?module_abbrev=SPECIAL&pd_hwid=RLXSK
http://ezinearticles.com/?Stressed-Out?-Journal-it-on-your-Blog&id=271168