The Power of Journaling

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 09:58

Whether a person is preparing for or healing from a stressful process like weight loss surgery, keeping a journal or diary of experiences, struggles, thoughts, and feelings can be highly beneficial. It has been proven that journaling can reduce many physical health ailments like asthma and arthritis, all while improving the immune system and cognitive functioning.

Problem Solving

Besides the physical benefits, journaling is a way to mentally problem-solve issues. Writing down the circumstances and then reviewing them can help a person take a more introspective look into ways to solve dilemmas. Describing a problem and all of its parts can usually help the problem work itself out, and for the most part, the writer has found a solution or conclusion by the end of their entry.

Forming a Habit

While some may find it difficult at first to just "write" what they did that day or how they are feeling, with practice and time, it will come easily. Setting aside time each day (before bed or in the morning is usually best) to write in a journal will help make it a habit. Additionally, making journaling fun by buying a bright-colored or patterned notebook can be more motivating than a plain notebook.

List Journal

There are many ways people journal besides the most commonly thought-of 'diary' format where a person writes about their feelings or what has been happening in their lives. Making lists, like daily goals, things to be thankful for, or daily highlights are also a very easy and simple way to keep a journal without feeling overwhelmed by the necessity to create long entries.

Long-Form Journal

Long-form journal writing can be done by a few different approaches as well. This includes just simply writing, which is basically free-writing whatever comes to mind. However, many people find that writing in a letter format makes it much easier to share and explore their thoughts and feelings. The 'letter' can be addressed to anyone- a parent, the writer, or another loved one that lives far away or who has passed away. Because this person is a trusted individual who the writer already has a bond with, they feel more comfortable and can let their guard down.

Intentional Journaling

Another great way to journal is to do it with a purpose. Having an end goal helps many maintain their journal and write more specific, detailed entries. Intentional journaling can be done for a variety of reasons; to give to another family member or friend who is going to have weight loss surgery after you, an outline for a possible book, website, or other place to share the bariatric experience; or for children so they can learn more about what their mother or father went through when they had the procedure.

Photo/Visual Journaling

Finally, photo or sketch journaling is a very artistic way to journal without using words. Taking a daily photo or video of something significant about that day (meals, vitamins, the outside of the bariatric surgeon office, the scale) can still hold just as much meaning as a long journal entry. Free websites like Momentile, Vimeo, and YouTube make it easy to upload photos and videos daily if a person wants to keep their content online.

For more artistic people, sketching or creating scrapbooks of important daily moments can be a great creative outlet and may come more naturally than sitting down to a blank journal and feeling pressured to write everything out.

Looking Back

One of the best parts about journaling, in any form, is the ability to look back and reflect on past experiences once time has passed. It may be motivating and meaningful for a post-op weight loss surgery patient to look at their journal that was kept before or immediately after the procedure.