Journaling
Research shows that regular journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis and strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. It’s also believed that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your health, as well as helping you clarify your thoughts and feelings. Writing removes mental blocks, allowing you to use all of your brain to better understand yourself, others and your entire world. Additionally, scientific evidence shows that keeping a journal helps with solving problems more effectively and resolving disagreements with others. It helps to write freely – not concerning yourself with punctuation or spelling – and try not to erase what you jot down. Doing so, allows yourself the ability to experience your true feelings and thoughts, notice any patterns you may have and witness your growth over time. Take a few minutes out of your day to write whatever you want and allow yourself this time to be nonjudgmental and accepting of your thoughts.
Counseling
The initial thought of discussing your issues with a stranger may seem a bit scary at first, but talking to a professional counselor about your problems can help you more than you may think. A professional can provide an unbiased ear to not only allow you to vent, but they can help you dissect your problems, then help you solve them. Going to a counselor gives you the opportunity to manage your emotions from everyday stressors or problems and help with communicating your feelings. Your therapist can also help you with creating goals, figuring out your life’s purpose and hold you accountable with pursuing these goals when you’re not dealing with bigger obstacles in your life. Many insurance providers help cover the cost of seeing a counselor, so take advantage if you have the opportunity and try to find a counselor that you click with.
Whether you decide to start taking advantage of all these amazing self-care resources or start off slowly with just one, remember you are deserving. Take the necessary time now to use these tools that are at your finger tips to heal yourself and eventually, we can help heal each other.