Journaling is a powerful tool that has helped me manage my anxiety. It’s a way to express my thoughts and feelings without the fear of judgment or repercussions. It’s a safe space where I can explore my emotions and work through any issues that may be causing me stress or anxiety.

At first, I was skeptical about the effectiveness of journaling. I thought it was just a hobby for people who had too much time on their hands. However, after a few weeks of consistent journaling, I noticed a significant improvement in my mental health. Here are some ways that journaling has helped me manage my anxiety:

1. It helps me identify triggers: By writing down my thoughts and feelings, I can easily identify what triggers my anxiety. I can then take steps to avoid those triggers or find ways to cope with them.
2. It helps me process my emotions: Anxiety can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s hard to know what we’re feeling or why we’re feeling that way. By journaling, I can process my emotions and understand why I’m feeling anxious.
3. It helps me problem-solve: When I write down my worries or problems, I can break them down into manageable pieces and come up with solutions. This helps me feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
4. It helps me track my progress: Journaling is a great way to track my progress over time. I can see how far I’ve come and celebrate my successes.
5. It provides a sense of catharsis: Sometimes, just writing down my thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic experience. It’s a way to release any pent-up emotions and feel lighter and more relaxed.

Overall, journaling has been a valuable tool in managing my anxiety. It has helped me gain a better understanding of myself and my emotions, and it has provided a safe space for me to express myself. If you’re struggling with anxiety or any other mental health issue, I highly recommend giving journaling a try. It may seem daunting at first, but with practice, it can become a powerful tool in your mental health toolkit.

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The Benefits of Practising Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to improve your mental and emotional well-being. In fact, research has shown that gratitude can lead to greater happiness, stronger relationships, and better physical health. One simple way to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine is by keeping a gratitude journal. In this blog post, I will share my personal experience with the 5-minute gratitude journal and how it has changed my life.

The Gratitude Journal

Before I started using the gratitude journal, I often found myself feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I would be preoccupied with things that were going wrong in my life, instead of appreciating the things that were going well. This negative mindset was affecting my mood, my relationships, and my overall outlook on life. I have a spiritual background and I find that every time when I pause and appreciate what I have, it changed my mood and my perspective.

I have always loved journaling so when a friend recommended that I try using a gratitude journal I decided to hop on board. She explained that it was a simple and effective way to shift my focus from the negative to the positive. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

What’s Inside of a Five Gratitude Journal

I purchased a 5-minute gratitude journal and committed to using it every day for one month. The journal consisted of a few simple prompts that I would fill out each morning and evening. The prompts included things like:

• What are three things you are grateful for today?
• What are three things that made you happy today?
• What are three things you are looking forward to tomorrow?

At first, I found it challenging to come up with things to write about. But as I continued to use the journal, I started to notice a significant shift in my mindset. I began to focus on the positive aspects of my life, rather than dwelling on the negative. I found myself feeling happier, more relaxed, and less stressed.

The act of writing down things that I was grateful for also helped me to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and presence. I became more aware of the small joys and blessings in my life, like a warm cup of tea or a beautiful sunset. I started to appreciate the people in my life more deeply, and I felt more connected to them.

Using the gratitude journal also helped me to develop a more optimistic outlook on life. When things didn’t go as planned, I was better able to reframe the situation and find the silver lining. I started to see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than obstacles to overcome.

Where to Get Affordable Gratitude Journal

You can purchase your gratitude journal here for only $23.00

Overall, using the 5-minute gratitude journal has had a profound impact on my life. It has helped me to shift my mindset from one of negativity and stress to one of positivity and gratitude. I am now more mindful, present, and appreciative of the good things in my life. I highly recommend this simple practice to anyone who wants to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

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Coloring books are often seen as something that’s only meant for kids. However, over the years, adult coloring books have become increasingly popular. These books are designed to help adults de-stress and relax by providing an outlet for creativity. While it may seem like a simple activity, incorporating coloring books into your self care routine can have numerous benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. Here are just a few reasons why coloring books for adults should be a part of your self-care routine:

 There Are Psychological Benefits to Adult Coloring

Adult coloring like gardening and reading is a hobby that you can take up to improve your personal well-being.  In her article posted on Huffpost.com titled, Dr. Nikki Martinez explained some of the benefits of adult coloring. According to her, adult coloring can help to re-focus our attention away from distressing thoughts, provide a positive distraction from negative habits, enable mindful contact with the present moment, and give the brain some much-needed time for rest and relaxation. Dr.Martinez, even jokes about the reaction from her clients when she suggests adult coloring books to them. However, she later admits that the same clients would later thank her for it.

How coloring improves Your Psychological Well Being

How it works is that coloring transports us back to simpler times. The times of childhood joy when we had no responsibilities and not a care in the world. Incorporating coloring into your self care routine gives you a temporary time-out from the stresses of adult life. It helps you to reconnect with the carefree part of yourself. Dr, Martinez also mentioned that adult coloring helps to calm the amygdala which is the part of the brain associated with stress reactions and anxiety. This in turn helps you to focus and concentrate on one thing. As you color, you may find that your breathing slows down and your heart rate decreases, allowing you to feel more relaxed and at ease.

Coloring promotes mindfulness

Coloring is a form of mindfulness practice, which makes it a perfect self care day activity. It helps to promote mindfulness as it helps you to become more present in the moment. By focusing your attention on the coloring page, you can tune out distractions and bring your awareness to the present moment. This can help you feel more grounded and centered, reducing feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

Coloring can be a form of self-expression

Coloring is a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself in a non-verbal way. You can tap into your intuition and inner wisdom by choosing colors and patterns that resonate with you. This can help you gain insights into your emotions and thoughts, and provide a sense of release and catharsis.

Coloring is a low-cost, low-maintenance activity

One of the great things about coloring books is that they are inexpensive and require minimal supplies. You can purchase coloring books on amazon for as low as $7.95, or you can support small businesses and buy the coloring pages for as low as $7 on Etsy.  Then all you need are some colored pencils or markers, and a quiet space to get started. You can color for as little or as long as you like, making it a low-maintenance activity that easily fits into your self-care routine.

Coloring can be a social activity

While coloring is often thought of as a solo activity, it can also be a fun and relaxing way to connect with others. You can host a coloring party or a self care party with friends, join a coloring group in your community, or even color with your partner or family members. Coloring together can help you bond and foster a sense of connection and camaraderie.

Incorporating coloring books into your self-care routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply set aside some time each day or week to color, and allow yourself to fully immerse in the activity. You may be surprised at how quickly you start to feel more relaxed, centered, and grounded. So go ahead and give it a try – your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it!

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What are Affirmations

Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself to help reframe negative thoughts and promote positive thinking. By repeating affirmations regularly, you can train your brain to see the best in yourself, your life, and your circumstances. Affirmations can be a powerful tool for building self-esteem and reducing stress. By incorporating affirmations into my daily routine, I have been able to improve my overall mindset and better handle the ups and downs of motherhood.

Some of My Favorite Affirmations as A Mom

One of the affirmations that have been most impactful for me is “I am doing my best.” As a mother, it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to be perfect all the time. However, this is simply not possible, and striving for perfection can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. By reminding myself that I am doing my best, I am able to let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on what is important.

Another affirmation that has helped me is “I am grateful for the little things.” Being a parent can be challenging, and it is easy to get bogged down by the daily routine. However, by focusing on the things I am grateful for, no matter how small they may seem, I am able to maintain a positive outlook and find joy in everyday moments.

Some more affirmations that have kept me feeling empowered and uplifted are the following:

1. I am doing the best I can with the resources and knowledge I have.
2. I am strong and capable of handling any challenge that comes my way.
3. I am worthy of love and respect, from myself and others.
4. I am a good role model for my children.
5. I am patient and understanding, even in difficult situations.
6. I am grateful for the moments of joy and happiness in my life.
7. I trust my intuition and make the best decisions for my family.
8. I am resilient and can bounce back from setbacks.
9. I am deserving of self-care and taking time for myself.
10. I am proud of the progress I’ve made as a mother.
11. I am a loving and nurturing presence for my children.
12. I am capable of creating a safe and supportive home environment.
13. I am confident in my ability to provide for my family’s needs.
14. I am grateful for the support and love of those around me.
15. I am patient with myself as I learn and grow as a parent.
16. I am worthy of asking for help when I need it.
17. I am open to learning new ways to parent and connect with my children.
18. I am forgiving of myself when I make mistakes.
19. I am deserving of respect and boundaries in my relationships.
20. I am grateful for the gift of motherhood and the love it brings into my life.

Affirmations are a powerful tool for helping you stay focused on the positive aspects of motherhood, even when things get tough. Take some time each day to repeat these affirmations to yourself, or write them down and place them in a visible spot in your home. You may also find it helpful to create your own affirmations that speak to your personal values and needs as a mom. Remember, you are doing an amazing job, and these affirmations can help you stay connected to your inner strength and resilience as a mother.

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