Journaling is a free outlet to write thoughts, emotions, and feelings. This form of stress relief can be beneficial to help de-escalate anxiety and depressive thoughts. There is no one perfect way to start journaling, and that's what makes it easy and effective. Simply put pen to paper and start writing! This outlet allows you to explore your thoughts surrounding food that you have either been pushing to the side to accommodate other thoughts, or unsure of how to respond to the thoughts themselves.
Journal prompts help keep you accountable within different areas of nutrition and mental health. They allow space for your thoughts to flow and provide a new angle each time in which you can explore. Each prompt helps your mind dive deeper into thought to help open the ideas and associations you have surrounding the anxious event. Often, people find themselves surprised by the content they end up writing because it had been hidden behind 'more important' thoughts.
Journaling can open your mind to the 'automatic' and 'mindless' actions that can have a bigger effect on your goals than you might have realized. I challenge you to try one of the journaling prompts below to help support you in your recovery.
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when you felt fulfilled. Where were you? What were you doing? What about that moment felt so satisfying?
If I could make one promise to myself it would be…
Write a letter to your body.
What does my anxiety sound, look, and feel like to me?
What is my first thought in the mornings? Keep a list.
What is one thing I wish I could change?
What’s a quality I love about myself?
Make a list of 10 affirmations to repeat when your anxiety spikes.
What’s a way my anxiety has held me back recently?
To learn more on how to better moderate anxiety and integrate it into your life, reach out to Enlighten Nutrition, Counseling and Care, we are here to help.