
Journaling for Anxiety
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There are many methods and tools people use to help with their anxiety, whether it is autumn anxiety during the fall season, to anxiety throughout the rest of the year. One of our favorite tools is using a journal, which has a long list of benefits for your mental health.
Here are some tips for using a journal to help combat your anxiety.
Getting Started with a Journal

Why journal for anxiety? The act of writing in your journal is very therapeutic and helps reduce anxiety for a number of reasons. First, it can help you get those anxious thoughts and fears out of your head. Anxiety worsens when we focus too much on what we are afraid of, so just writing out what we’re thinking can help a lot.
Journaling is also good for finding clarity when your anxiety is from specific situations that have been frustrating you. Maybe this fall season, you are trying to make a big decision, and getting anxious over your inability to know the right path to take. Just writing about it can help you get the clarity you need.
It is also a good activity for distracting your mind when you are going through a panic attack or a particularly bad anxiety day.
The Set-Up of an Anxiety Journal

Anxiety journals are also called ranting journals. When we feel anxiety, we usually feel a
rush of emotions all at once. Some of the thoughts are chaotic while others are eerily
calm. The fact is though, the thoughts and emotions are fast-moving and can be
overwhelming if there is no outlet.
In fact, some people find that the manic nature of anxiety and thoughts can be worse
than the actual onset of anxiety itself. For this reason, there is no real set-up of an
anxiety journal. It is simply a lined journal that allows you to put in your thoughts as they
come to you and get them out. The only thing that is usually part of the anxiety journal is
a reflective area to go back and write your thoughts on that post after you have calmed
down and can go back and see what the issues may have been to cause the anxiety to begin with.
What to Write About

The great thing about journaling is that you can write about anything and everything! Just pick up a journal you like, along with some great pens, and get writing. To make it easy, here are some ways to get started:
Write about your day – If you ever used a diary as a pre-teen, you probably know what writing in a diary is like. You can journal the same way, where you just write about your day, how it went, what your mood was, did anything bother you, and what your plans are for tomorrow. A lot of stuff comes up just from this simple journaling method.
Do a 5-minute stream of consciousness – Another way to journal for your anxiety is a stream of consciousness writing format. This is a brain dump where you just write whatever comes to mind, switching topics as much as you need to, as long as you keep writing. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, and just make sure you are writing something the entire time.
Use a journaling prompt – When all else fails, find some journaling prompts that are for people with anxiety, and you should have great luck with deciding what to write about.
Journaling for the Fall Season

If you are experiencing anxiety in the fall season, there is no reason you can’t journal about that specifically! What is it about fall that is making you anxious? How are you feeling? What fears do you have? What changes can you make to ease any stress you currently have?
Try to shift to a more positive mindset by writing down some fun activities you have planned for the fall, like a fall bucket list, and see how you feel when you’re done.
Get your free anxiety journal below!
Loving Life — The Reboot!
Dominique
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.



12 Comments
Jeanine Byers
What a beautiful journal cover!! One of the best I have ever seen.
Dominique
Thank you very much!
Rosey
My daughter started journaling as a pre-teen. She is a mom of two children now and she still journals. She just loves it.
Lucy Ivan
Oh, I used to write in a diary a long time ago, and it was really a good way to get my thoughts out of my head, reduce anxiety… and collect some memories. Thanks for sharing! Maybe it is really a good idea to start a journal again. 🙂
Linda
It is really an interesting idea of Anxiety Journal. Thanks for sharing with us.
Knycx Journeying
Thanks for the advice and I think it will help a lot of people who are stressed. It is a good idea to have a way to release – knycx journeying
Olga
I love journaling too. Also, I have fall and winter blues. So now it is time to be proactive and improve my mood before I started to be grumpy. Thank you for the article.
Elise Ho
What you do first thing in the morning can often set the tone for the rest of your day. This is one of my favorite times to journal.
emman damian
This is such a cool idea. I think it’s relaxing and it eases the pain when you journal. I like it! I do it actually.
Kelly Bolen
I journal just about everyday. And it helps with my anxiety!!!
Ivan M. Jose
One of the reasons why I continue to blog is because it helps me manage anxiety. I guess it’s almost the same for journaling so I’d say that it’s indeed an effective method.
Grasyah [Of Coffee and Crackers]
I myself keeps journals for me to de stress and to keep records too.. BUt yes. it is somewhat relieves me of my anxitey writing..