How can a journal help you? mentally?
606655
You will learn to understand yourself better. When you write things down, you take a better look at them. You choose to think about issues, rather than let life fly past you everyday. It helps you become slightly more responsible and learn some logic. Journals are an excellent treatment for depression and anxiety. They help you to develop a sense of purpose in life, becoming more aware of your surroundings and your inner feelings.
942789
Been in your shoes many a time....waking in the night horrendous nightmares, insomnia just not knowing what to do.\nI really empathize.\n\nIt's hard when your mind seems to be going nowhere in particular just having random rotten thoughts and you wonder how long can it go on this time?\n\nIt is hard for people to understand this kind of illness unless they've been through it themselves.  It's like you've entered a room that most people have never seen before and never will and you try to describe it to them...they get the picture...but they don't actually FEEL and THINK it.\n\nBe kind to yourself to try to balance things up a bit.  Treat yourself to comforts that you need at this time.  \n\nPeople used to say to me...'you'll get there' or it'll pass, but it's while it's happening....what doyou do then?\n\nDo you journal your thoughts?  I do.  I write down very quickly all the things that pop into my head in the order that they come, just scribble them down as fast as you can.  Make sure you write EVERYTHING that comes to you.  Then when you think you've finished, read aback through what you have written and you'll find that the things that are getting to you the most are near the begining....try to resolve some of these.   If you're like me, the page may be full of dunnos!\n\nGive yourself some rest today and don't forget to treat yourself in some way - even if it's a relaxing massage from someone you trust.\n\nBest wishes.
207826
Go to the library.  Open a peer-reviewed journal.  Use that one.
401277
May sound a bit fem to do, but I am sure it will help you mentally if you write your emotions down on paper. Spill your heart and soul out, then put that paper(s) away for a while. Come back to that paper in a few days and read it, analyze it, and reassess your emotions at that point. If you keep doing that, you will start to see that those emotions will start to change and you will eventually start the healing process. :o) Chin up! :o)
576159
try thinking, then form a thought, THEN write it down...
661202
I have personally found that writing in a journal is a great way to vent about your problems. I had to start writing back in January 2005 when I called 2 of my bosses lazy sacks of crap (I used much harsher words than that). The day after that, I had to yell at the cable guy who accused me of not paying my bill (I was house sitting my best friends house and her neighbors heard the guy yelling at me...so i called the cable company to complain about the guy...i got her free cable for 6 months because of it ;) )
347223
drawing, writing in ur journal, doing a to-do list for the day, reading, or exercise to relieve tension n stress build-up which is the best way to relax!!
920706
Hi Joy\nI think the other two gave good advice, but I would like to recommend something else in addition to their suggestions, which really helped me.\n\nKeep a journal and write in it every day.  Keep it private and safe.  Write everything down.  I don't know why it should be, but the simple act of putting it down on paper is a kind of unburdening.  And since you're confiding in nobody but yourself, you can be as open as you wish.\n\nWhat I am suggesting costs nothing, involves no medication, no other person and can do you no harm.   Please give it a go.\n\nTake Care\n\nOh and eat good food, get gentle exercise, sleep well, all that stuff you already know about...
1078515
music and vent in a journal
299632
Put everyone or everything that is stressing you out to the test.  How much of a positive energy do you get from that particular person?  And how much of negative energy do you get from that person?  Which weighs more?  \n\nMight be time to re-prioritize who and what you spend time with.\n\nAlso a gratitude journal is a good way to help put perspective on your life.  Just list anything you can think of as to who or what you're thankful for.  Like any other good thing, this can take practice.  But it's well worth it.
914395
MY BEST QUARTER I WENT HOME EACH NIGHT AND REWROTE MY NOTES IN A SPIRAL NOTEBOOK. WHAT SURPRISED ME MOST WAS THAT I REMEMBERED SO MUCH MORE, WITH THE INFO FRESH IN MY MIND, AND THAT BECAME MY STUDY NOTEBOOK.\n\n\nGOD BLESS
1116474
Keep a little notepad & pen with you, & every time something pops into your head; write it down.\nBegin setting a fixed time, daily, when you do thiese lttle things. This will discipline you to manage your time better while developing some organizational skills, too.
18680
notecards with fact on front definition/source on the back, they really help with memorzation, and you absorb information retained throughout the day while sleeping so don't stay up all night. rest before a test is good.
895299
I'm addicted to myspace haha but as for a journal, I go to www.opendiary.com. It's a really cool site & I made a lot of friends there aswell as getting my feelings out. I also like www.bolt2.com. it's pretty cool!
768988
i write in my diary to vent out my frustration...listen to music and sometimes go shopping...it usually  helps...if not, a slice of cheesecake might do the trick.
266033
It depends upon the way you think. We're all different.\n\nFor me, the best way was to always write stuff down. Even if it was a little incoherant. For me, the process of writing makes me remember stuff more. Others remember by saying - so use notecards. Hope this helps.\n\nGood luck.
754263
A diary is a written record or journal of what you do each day.  Many people keep journals as a record of the happenings of the day and their feelings about them. Writers use journals in a different way. Instead of recording what happened each day, they write in a journal on a regular basis to find out more about themselves. They use their journal as a place to polish their voice and keep it strong.\n\nYou can do anything you want in your journal. It’s your own space. There are no rules or structure except what you decide on. The main purpose of a journal is to help you get used to putting ideas on paper.\n\nThese links may give you a few helpful hints.  Good luck with your diary.