Putting Pen to Paper: Write More, Stress Less
Sometimes it feels like our thoughts and emotions are buzzing around our head, all boxed in with nowhere to go and nothing to do except drive us to distraction. Even more so when we are up to our eyes in an ongoing global pandemic that is taking its toll on us all in one way or another. It really goes without saying that mental health is suffering significantly and most people are carrying more weight on their shoulders than ever before. With our minds going at a rate of a million miles an hour with seemingly no sign of tiring, it can feel as if a stress-free headspace is a lovely but wholly unrealistic concept.
While I’m not here to claim that all stress can be entirely cancelled out simply by putting pen to paper, I can vouch for the fact that it really does help. I’ll go as far as saying that it’s helped in saving my mental state from ultimate deterioration during these, to put it lightly, challenging times. At any rate, it’s an amazing coping strategy to put in place presently- give it a try for yourself and see what you think.
So, what will you need?
Three crucial ingredients: A pen of your choice (go wild), a notebook reserved only for this purpose and just 10 minutes of your time. 🖊📝⏳
Once you are suitably armed with the above, it’s time to find a quiet sitting space that you can feel as relaxed as possible in. Now, take some deep breaths to centre yourself, exactly where you are in that very moment. This is a good chance for your brain to close a few tabs before you begin writing. Allow a sense of calm to wash over you and open your notebook. Now here’s where my instructions come to an end- it’s over to you! Write down whatever is pressing on your mind or stressing you out. As scary or emotional seeing it all written down may be, remind yourself that a problem shared is a problem halved. Even if the recipient is a blank page in a journal you can take pride and comfort in the fact you’ve aired it out. Whether this helps you organise your thoughts or simply serves as an outlet for decluttering your headspace, it’s a brilliant brain dump.
The best part: you can shut the book and walk away a little lighter whenever you like. I recommend 10 minutes of stream of consciousness writing however you can take as little or as long as you feel to be beneficial. Either way, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this technique’s ability to reduce immediate anxieties and effectively declutter your mind. It’s a healthy habit to build up and you can get really creative with it too. Additionally, having things written down can help you to reflect on, identify and reduce stressors. Journaling or scribbling things down may not seem like a huge step in the grand scheme of things, but it’s the vital act of checking in on yourself that’s being implemented and built on. By keeping your focus on getting by and getting better, you’ll be on the right track to start reaping the benefits.
Writing not your thing?
You can do the above practice with Journify, simply open the app, hit record and speak your mind.
About the Author:
Lucy Cowen rarely runs out of things to say. With a background in fashion, her articles encompass anything from this season’s must-have miniskirts to mental health. Her writing, combined with her work as a personal stylist, all comes down to an unrelenting, lifelong love of clothes and conversations.
Follow Lucy on Instagram: @lucyannecowen
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