
Journaling can be a powerful tool to process one’s thoughts and emotions. You may choose to write just for yourself whereby you can work through your thoughts privately. Or you might want to use a journal to jot down ideas that you may wish to expound upon with a therapist. Then again you might want craft a story, take down notes at a doctor's visit, or compose a poem or song, as part of a legacy.
There is no one "right" way to journal. On some days you might have more time and inclination to write several pages, and other days it may be as simple as jotting down a note to show what you are grateful for that day.
Based on our recent Survivingbreastcancer.org social media poll, 31% of our online social media community is already journaling. Some journal daily, some weekly, and some journal only when they need it. Many turn to journaling for release, to ease stress, to recognize gratitude, and to work through tough feelings.
Research (see below) shows that there can be long term positive effects to journaling. At Survivingbreastcancer.org we urge all to think about capturing thoughts and emotions in a way that just may contribute to yours, and others, better emotional and physiological health.