Stress Relief Through Writing

Everyone goes through stressful periods in their lives, whether because of family struggles, illness, job loss or grief. Writing, which many people think of as a hobby, can provide an outlet for emotions as well as a way to address, and sometimes solve, various issues.

Journaling is one way to safely release and examine thoughts and emotions. You can keep a daily journal, or one which you use whenever you feel the need to jot something down. If you need a little structure, try using these questions as a guideline.

What emotion am I feeling? Am I angry at someone? Why? Frightened? What, exactly, am I frightened of? Writing it down is not only a good way to force you to think about things, it's also a way to work out these emotions before you say or do something you'll regret later.

Write a letter, and then destroy it. I once wrote a four page letter to someone that had really hurt me. I knew that mailing it might some day come back to haunt me, but it felt good to get it all out. Just make sure you do destroy it!

Perhaps you feel stressed at certain times of the day, but don't know why. Start keeping a logbook, noting down the time of day, who's around, what you're doing. It could be that certain foods, too much caffeine, lack of sleep, or having to take care of your kids' pets all the time is providing a stress point. Once you identify the problem, you can take steps to resolve it.

If it's something in the future you're worried about, now is the time to start working on possible solutions. Worried about a job loss? Start by asking yourself what the worst case scenario would be. Then address it as though it will happen tomorrow. Review your family budget; if you don't have one, make one. Make a list of other sources of income you could turn to, brush up your resume, and write out a plan of action. Being prepared for an emergency is the best possible thing you can do to help relieve anxiety.

Keep a "blessings" journal. Every morning, without fail, write down at least one thing you are grateful for. This is a great way to start the day, and you can go back and review it at any time for a boost. You can also include one thing that you like about yourself each day.

Try writing some fiction. Make yourself the hero, endow yourself with whatever characteristics you'd like. Or, write about something that happened in your life, but change the ending.

Once writing becomes a habit, you might even discover that you have a knack for it. Check out the many online sites available that encourage and even publish new writers. Who knows, you could be on your way to a new career!