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The Health Benefits of Journaling
By Shelli Stanger Nelson, Founder and President
This writing is adapted from an article which appeared in the May 2011 newsletter of the American Holistic Nurse’s Association. The original article was written by Rae Height, RN, MA, LMHC
Here is a helpful tool to provide to your clients or use for yourself. Sometimes it’s the most simple interventions which have great impact on health and well-being, and for some reason, are frequently those we tend to dismiss.
Did you know that clinical research has documented measureable, detailed, and objective health benefits to keeping a journal? By writing for as little as 15-20 minutes a day we can lower blood pressure, increase the function of the immune system and reduce or eliminate physical pain. We can live a more authentic lifestyle congruent with our true needs and intention.
Ms. Height notes that journaling is portable and free so encourage your clients to try it out.
In a journaling exercise, suggest your client recall a recent situation that was difficult, overwhelming or brought up uncomfortable emotions.
Ask your client to note in their journal: What was the situation? What were my thoughts? And how did my body communicate something was out of balance? Was there pain, digestive issues, anxiety or repeating automatic negative thoughts?
Ask them to really tease out their emotions. Suggest that they decide which of the following emotions were present; mad, sad, glad, afraid, or a variation of these. Encourage them to witness if the same emotions show up over and over in their writing.
Have them witness how they coped with their physical, emotional and energetic symptoms. Awareness is the key to consciousness and creating change for healthier options.
Once we have found realizations we can begin to use our inner authority with purpose instead of unconscious habits. We move from reacting to responding, a shift that balances the human bioenergy field and leads to satisfaction in all aspects of our life
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