6 Benefits of Journaling + Prompt Ideas

From aiding you in achieving goals or feeling more confident, the practice of journaling can have a profound impact on your life. Starting a journal is a great way to practice self-care and take an active step toward taking more control over your life as well as improving yourself. Discover the benefits of journaling below and find examples of journals you can start today.

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Not only can journaling be an engaging and fun activity, but it can also help you feel more ready to take on some of life’s biggest challenges. Consider the following benefit of journaling:

1. Improves Mental Health: Can help you cope with stress, relieve anxiety, and manage depression.

2. Improves Physical Health: Expressive writing has led individuals to self-report benefits such as reduced blood pressure, improved liver function, and improved immune system.

3. Drives Self-Confidence: Journals that help you self-reflect or stay organized can help you become more confident.

4. Boosts Creativity: Taking note of thoughts or ideas that you have throughout the day, can help you come up with big ideas to execute on.

5. Improves Communication Skills: The more often that you write the bigger your vocabulary will grow and the more you’ll be able to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly and confidently.

6. Helps With Goal Achievement: If you record and track your goals, it can make them feel much more tangible and help you stay motivated.

Types of Journals You Can Start Keeping

You should aim to find the type of journal that works best for you when choosing a journal. This is the best way to find a journaling practice that will help you meet your unique needs and goals. Below you’ll find different types of journal that you can try as well as journal prompts to help you get started. See what journal types and prompts resonate with you!

• Metacognitive Journal: Helps you consider how your environment and emotional state may be impacting your overall perspective.

• Change Journal: Helps you gain new insights about how your knowledge in a particular area has growth. 

• Self-Reflection Journal: Helps you figure out how you’re feeling and ways you can live more intentionally.

• Bullet Journal: Helps you stay organized and complete daily tasks (see bullet journal prompts!)

• Creativity Journal: Helps you bolster your imagination, find inspiration, and express yourself.

• Gratitude Journal: Helps you remember what’s important to you and what you’re thankful for.

• Relationship Journal: Helps you appreciate and learn to communicate better with important people in your life. 

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9 TED Talks Every College Grad Needs to Hear on Life, Money, and Career Success

Whether you’re graduating high school, with a bachelors, or a masters you’re set free. You’ve finally reached your biggest educational goal and are ready to take the world by storm. A gap year may be top of mind, or you may be ready to take over the corporate world. Even though you may be ready to hit the ground running, there are some hard questions you may need to ask yourself. 

Turns out, you may not have learned daily life lessons in school. You may be wondering how to find a budget that works for you, or how to start investing. Staying in your school town may not be your best interest either. Whether you’re wanting to move across the country, or settle back into your home town, it’s time to set a budget that works best for you and your future. 

There are some lessons that could get you ahead of the game. From learning how to break bad habits and create healthy good ones to putting your financial fears to rest. If you’re ready to get ahead of the game and learn what you can before you jump into life post-college, Mint created an infographic with nine of the best TED Talks life takeaways. 

Neighborhood Acts of Kindness Printables

During these trying times, bringing those around you together is more important than ever.  Many people could use some help right now, and lending a hand and spreading positivity, you can help neighbors and the community around you feel more connected. 

Doing kind things, even if they’re small, can help lift the spirits of those who may be struggling. Turn your community into a more welcoming place by just saying a friendly hello, helping the elderly out with their groceries or welcoming the newest resident with a gift,

To go the extra mile, here’s how  to welcome new tenants or promote a sense of community with these simple acts of kindness.

1. Bake Fresh Cookies 

Everyone loves cookies! If you have a favorite recipe, consider making a big batch to share, whether you want to say thank you or just because. Not only will your house smell great, but it will surely bring a smile to your neighbor’s face. Here is an easy recipe for lemon cookies — a perfect refreshing treat for summer! 

You will need:

• 1 box of lemon cake mix 

• 2 eggs 

• Juice and zest of half a lemon 

• ⅓  cup vegetable oil 

• Powdered sugar for dusting

Mix all the ingredients together and form mixture into small balls. Then, sprinkle the balls with powdered sugar and bake at 350℉ for six to nine minutes. Once they’re done baking, place the cookies into a bag and tie it off with one of these printable food tags.

Cookie Tag Printables - click here

2. Write a Positive Message

Leave a kind positivity note for a neighbor. This can be a simple and sweet letter or a note of encouragement! Surprise them by putting it on their door or on their car windshield.

Positivity Note Card Printables - click here

3. Make a Candle 

Get crafty and create a unique DIY candle that you can gift your neighbor. Here’s a quick and easy how-to: 

• Melt soy candle wax in a double boiler for 10–15 minutes.

• Add your favorite essential oil scent to the wax once melted. 

• Glue a wick to the bottom of your candle container and let it dry. 

• Remove wax from the stove and let it cool slightly before pouring it into your heat-safe container. 

• Pour in your wax and let sit for about four hours until the surface is firm.

• Cut down your wick so it’s half an inch from the surface of the candle.

Once your candle is finished, place it in a bag and tie it off with a gift tag! This will be sure to brighten your neighbor’s day. 

Candle Gift Tag Printables - click here

4. Give a Gift to Their Pet 

If your neighbor loves animals, surprise their pet with some delicious treats! You can either get some at the store or try a homemade recipe to make it extra special.

For homemade dog treats, you will need:

• ⅔ cup pumpkin puree 

• ¼ cup peanut butter 

• 2 eggs 

• 3 cups whole wheat flour

• Blend these ingredients into a dough, roll out and cut out shapes using cookie cutters, and bake at 350℉ for 20–25 minutes! Tie off your treat bag with a tag and surprise their pet. 

Dog Treat Tag Printables - click here

5. Pass Out Flowers 

Make your neighbors' day brighter with a new plant, like a cute succulent or fresh-picked flowers. Decorate your gift with a fun plant tag — you can also give out packets of flower seeds for them to plant themselves.

Flower & Succulent Tag Printables - click here