Close Menu
The Baylor Lariat
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    Trending
    • Students react to emergency alert following campus lockdown
    • Baylor shelter-in-place lifted following police pursuit of robbery suspects
    • Baylor graduate charged after killing cats with pellet gun, hanging bodies over utility lines
    • Baylor Football’s Alex Foster dies at 18
    • Board of Regents confirms budget, renovations, new leadership in May meeting
    • How facilities responds to storms, flooding in campus buildings
    • Welcome Week leaders now paid in hopes of increasing numbers
    • 5 Baylor sports storylines to look forward to in 2025-26
    • About us
      • Spring 2025 Staff Page
      • Copyright Information
    • Contact
      • Contact Information
      • Letters to the Editor
      • Subscribe to The Morning Buzz
      • Department of Student Media
    • Employment
    • PDF Archives
    • RSS Feeds
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    The Baylor LariatThe Baylor Lariat
    Subscribe to the Morning Buzz
    Tuesday, July 8
    • News
      • State and National News
        • State
        • National
      • Politics
        • 2025 Inauguration Page
        • Election Page
      • Homecoming Page
      • Baylor News
      • Waco Updates
      • Campus and Waco Crime
    • Arts & Life
      • Wedding Edition 2025
      • What to Do in Waco
      • Campus Culture
      • Indy and Belle
      • Sing 2025
      • Leisure and Travel
        • Leisure
        • Travel
          • Baylor in Ireland
      • Student Spotlight
      • Local Scene
        • Small Businesses
        • Social Media
      • Arts and Entertainment
        • Art
        • Fashion
        • Food
        • Literature
        • Music
        • Film and Television
    • Opinion
      • Editorials
      • Points of View
      • Lariat Letters
    • Sports
      • March Madness 2025
      • Football
      • Basketball
        • Men’s Basketball
        • Women’s Basketball
      • Soccer
      • Baseball
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      • Equestrian
      • Cross Country and Track & Field
      • Acrobatics & Tumbling
      • Tennis
      • Golf
      • Pro Sports
      • Sports Takes
      • Club Sports
    • Lariat TV News
    • Multimedia
      • Video Features
      • Podcasts
        • Don’t Feed the Bears
      • Slideshows
    • Advertising
    The Baylor Lariat
    Home»Opinion

    Journaling can be beneficial for mental health

    Guest ContributorBy Guest ContributorApril 28, 2022 Opinion No Comments3 Mins Read
    Photo courtesy of Ellie Ables
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Ellie Ables | Guest Contributor

    Like most college students I know, I get stressed out during the semester. Keeping up with classes while maintaining everyday responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming.

    “Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote for injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change,” Julia Cameron, American author and teacher, said.

    Writing in a journal for a few minutes a day is an easy way to reduce this stress and provides a place to express your thoughts and emotions. You can also use this journal to track your habits, goals and behaviors.

    This easy activity can also declutter your mind and shift your awareness toward positive thoughts and emotions. By journaling, you can change your mindset, better your habits and grow significantly as a person.

    In a study conducted by James Pennebaker, a social psychologist, 50 college students were assigned to write in a journal about their experiences and conflicts. At the end of the study, these students reported lower levels of anxiety, better immune function and even a decrease in asthma.

    In his final results, Pennebaker concluded that “actively confronting a trauma allows for the understanding and assimilation of that trauma.” Essentially, trauma and life experiences can only be dealt with when properly confronted, and without that confrontation, anxiety and depression can worsen.

    Journaling also allows for an increase in self-awareness. Self-awareness is being able to focus your attention on your inner self. When we become self-aware, we see our actions, habits and attitudes more clearly. This helps us consider our actions more clearly, thus helping us make better decisions when encountering future trauma.

    You may be wondering how you should begin writing in your journal. First, you should pick a time of day that fits your schedule to sit and write without distraction. Personally, I think journaling right before bed is the most beneficial, as it helps the mind stop racing before going to sleep.

    Our schedules are already busy, so you may see journaling as just another task you have to complete, but be wary of this thinking. Also, this activity is not time consuming. According to CNBC, “researchers say that journaling for at least 15 minutes a day three to five times a week can significantly improve your physical and mental health.”

    For some, writing may seem like a struggle. The good news is you can write about whatever you please in your journal. For instance, what you did that day, who you spent your time with or something in your life that you’re looking forward to. Because there are no rules or limitations in this activity, the possibilities of your personal journal are endless. If you write about something you enjoy, you might enjoy journaling more.

    Journaling can be beneficial for any person struggling with anxiety, self-reflection or depression. There is an array of evidence showing the positive benefits that can come from journaling for just a few minutes a day, so think about making it your new habit.

    Guest Contributor

    Keep Reading

    Don’t believe myths about autism — reduce stigma by learning facts

    I never thought I’d miss my meal plan

    Violent predator catchers do more harm than good

    Lariat Letter: My pre-medical studies have shaped me into a better man

    It’s time to write more handwritten letters

    The end of the semester is just the beginning

    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Recent Posts
    • Students react to emergency alert following campus lockdown June 27, 2025
    • Baylor shelter-in-place lifted following police pursuit of robbery suspects June 26, 2025
    About

    The award-winning student newspaper of Baylor University since 1900.

    Articles, photos, and other works by staff of The Baylor Lariat are Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.

    Subscribe to the Morning Buzz

    Get the latest Lariat News by just Clicking Subscribe!

    Follow the Live Coverage
    Tweets by @bulariat

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    • Featured
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Arts and Life
    © 2025 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.