Journaling

 

 

Journaling is a powerful tool for renewal and growth. Journaling can be used to vent frustration; overcome barriers, real and imagined; as an outlet for emotional pain; and to visualize goals. In this respect journaling can be helpful to both caregivers and patients.

 

In one study, patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis wrote about an upsetting experience (such as a car accident, divorce, or abuse). The asthma patients improved their lung function by 19 percent. Patients with arthritis saw their symptoms improve by 28 percent. Patients with these same problems who wrote about superficial topics showed no improvements. These illnesses are exacerbated by stress, and journaling showed a significant therapeutic effect.

 

Get a pen or pencil, a piece of paper and travel to a quiet place where your mind can be at ease. One way to write is to let your mind wander. Let memories, thoughts, and stresses flow through your arm and pen onto the paper. This is called “free writing”—putting down whatever comes to you without censoring or judgment. After about 20 minutes, you may have more clarity about how you feel or what you truly think. Or try simply writing about a different topic each time. As a caregiver, if you can write at least weekly, you’ll have a remarkable record of your Caregiving journey.