How Older Adults Can Practice Mindfulness
Learn the Benefits of Journaling
You may have heard about the benefits of practicing mindfulness but wondered where to start. One of the easiest and most effective ways to be mindful is to keep a journal. It does not have to be complicated! You can use a journal in a variety of ways:
- Preserve your memories. Pick a special day—something recent or years ago—and document everything you remember about that day.
- Manage your stress. Writing down negative thoughts can help them from continuing to loop in our minds. The next time you feel stressed, try putting your thoughts to paper.
- Write about a recent misunderstanding or difficulty in a relationship. When we experience stressful situations or disagreements with a friend or family member, it can be difficult to take a step back and process how we are feeling. Writing about the situation can help you clear your mind.
If you still aren’t sure where to begin, try keeping a journal for something specific:
- Gratitude journal: Each day, write down at least one thing you are grateful for.
- Daily journal: Simply jot down things that happened on that particular day. This could be conversations, funny moments, or something you ate that you really enjoyed.
- Dream journal: When you wake up, first thing in the morning, write down what you remember from your dreams.
Remember that journaling should be enjoyable, not something you force yourself to do. Try to write every day, but do what feels right for you.
