The healing power of journaling



For many of us, a work diary is a practical thing. We use them for work to make a note of appointments or meetings, scribbling words next to dates to remind us of something we have to do in the future. But journalling is more about feelings. It's a personal diary, often kept far from prying eyes, sometimes detailing our secrets and desires. But, when it comes to feelings, what are the benefits to writing things down?



Sometimes it can be difficult to say exactly what we're feeling. Because of anxiety or frustration, it can be tricky to put your problems into words. For some of us, putting pen to paper and jotting down our thoughts is a much easier process than saying them.



But it's not just about the ease of scrawling words. Writing things down can actually help us to formulate ideas, consolidate emotions, and understand our feelings. There's something cathartic about making sense of something that is stressing us, annoying us, or getting us down. Writing a narrative of events or a series of words about what is on your mind can help you to focus, and is comparable to a form of meditation.



And journalling isn't just limited to words. Why not include squiggles, doodles or pictures of what's happening in your life? Maybe the thing that is annoying you most could be best summed up by a caricature. In short, journalling is good for your mental health.



Another thing to consider is that our memories fade over time. What is clear in our minds today may just be forgotten a few years down the line. Logging what's happening in our lives could trigger memories when we read our diary entries back in years to come, or could act as an insight into our past selves.



We can see our development, or be reminded of exciting flashpoints in our lives. The person who was annoying us and you drew a doodle of five years ago may now be a close friend, or something that you were once scared of may now seem funny.



So, if you have something on your mind, it might be good to get things written down. And if something exciting happens, writing about it may help you to remember that wonderful time!



词汇表

journaling [ˈdʒɜːn(ə)lɪŋ] 写日记，记日志

work diary [ˈdaɪəri] 工作日志，工作日程簿

make a note of 记录，记下

scribble [ˈskrɪb(ə)l] 潦草地写，匆匆写下

prying [ˈpraɪɪŋ] 窥探的，爱打听的

detail [ˈdiːteɪl] 详细描述，详述

put into words 用语言表达，用文字表达

put pen to paper 动笔写，开始写

jot down [dʒɒt] 匆匆记下，草草写下

scrawl [skrɔːl] 乱涂，潦草地写

formulate [ˈfɔːmjuleɪt] 明确表达，构想

consolidate [kənˈsɒlɪdeɪt] 整理，合并；巩固，强化

cathartic [kəˈθɑːtɪk] 宣泄的，释放情绪的

meditation [ˌmedɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n] 冥想，沉思

squiggle [ˈskwɪɡ(ə)l] 潦草的笔迹，弯曲的线条

doodle [ˈduːd(ə)l] 涂鸦，随手乱画

caricature [ˈkærɪkətʃʊə(r)] 漫画，讽刺画；夸张的描述

log [lɒɡ] 正式记录，记载；日志

trigger memories [ˈtrɪɡə(r)] 唤起记忆，勾起回忆

diary entry [ˈdaɪəri ˈentri] 日记条目，日记内容

insight [ˈɪnsaɪt] 洞察，深刻见解，领悟

flashpoint [ˈflæʃpɔɪnt] 亮点，令人振奋的片段；爆发点



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