Regardless of whether you’re just starting to think about growing your family, you’ve been trying to conceive for years, or you already have a growing family, creating your daily journaling practice is an important step on your wellness journey.
Why journaling?
Journaling is transformative because, believe it or not, your perceptions actually change the composition of your blood.
Let me explain. Your cell membrane, the true brain of your cells, reads the environment within your body and then responds to it accordingly. Therefore, the thoughts you have can literally change the behavior of your cells and directly influence your body’s ability to adapt.
When you’re feeling stressed or in a negative space, your body releases stress hormones which your cells then react to. This is an important defense mechanism and in certain situations can be very helpful. If a tiger is chasing you, you want your body to kick into high gear and get you out of harms way ASAP. Problems arise when we remain in a state of stress for too long.
By directing our focus to a place of gratitude and to the good things that are happening for us, we’re able to move our body from a state of stress, to one of ease.
Gratitude is a choice to be present. It’s viewing everything you have as if it’s enough. It is choosing to see that life is happening for you, rather than to you. It’s allowing yourself to marinate in the goodness you already have, rather than wishing for more.
We experience numerous blessings throughout our day- many of which we’re often too busy to even notice; like a warm cup of tea in the morning, or the way the sun feels shining down on your face.
We may even forget to be thankful for the bigger things, like a warm bed to sleep in at night, or friends and family that love you.
We often take so many things for granted simply because we forget to slow down and experience them fully.
Journaling helps us take time to slow down and notice these blessings, signaling to our body that we’re safe, well and its efforts can be directed to other important things like healing, health and function.
If journaling is new to you or you’re not used to having a journal, that’s ok! It doesn’t need to be complicated, in fact I often find that simpler is better!
5 Tips for Starting Your Practice
1. Choose a new and special journal
Pick a special journal to use just for this practice and keep it right by your bed.
This will allow you to easily remember and reflect back on your practice.
I encourage you to keep a special journal, right by your bed, for this practice so that you can easily remember and reflect back on it. This is the journal I use if you’re looking for inspiration! Starting and ending your day in gratitude is such a powerful way to create healthy space for growth while also guiding your brain, and your cells, into a positive, more thankful, light.
2. Begin your day
Start your day by journaling 3 things that you are grateful for each day.
This won’t take long and can be as simple as just 3 words, or as detailed and elaborate as you desire.
3. End your day
Before your head hits the pillow take a moment to journal one thing you are proud of from the day.
This can be anything- large or small.
4. Journal 3 things
Start your day by journaling 3 things that you are grateful for.
This is one of my favorite prompts and can be as simple as just 3 words or as elaborate as you desire.
5. Don’t overthink it
Remember the goal the goal isn’t to create a polished work of art- let down your writing hair.
There is no pressure here.
Allow yourself to write without worrying about grammar, punctuation, or even if it makes sense.
This is a practice where the benefits are in the process, not the final piece.
Looking for a new journal? Here are a few of my favs!
And there you have it, my top tips for creating your journaling practice. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a new journal, I promise you’re worth it!
Be well and happy writing.
