Can writing really help you sleep better? It sure can. It has been shown in several studies that writing, and journaling in particular, can have tremendously healing effects on emotional distress. And I can tell you from personal experience that yes, it really works.
Since quality sleep is at the very core of good health and an overall feeling of well-being, here's one of the simplest uses of writing for helping you feel better: Writing as a cure for insomnia.
If you're all stressed out about things in your life or overwhelmed by to-do lists, chances are those worries will keep you from being able to fall asleep. You've probably been there. You lie in bed, all tied in knots, with thoughts racing through your mind. Sleep is about as elusive as winning the lottery. Of course you worry: What if you can't sleep? You'll be too tired to do much of anything the next day, and so you'll get even further behind. What in the world should you do? Here's an easy three-step process:
Step 1: Before you even go to bed, be sure you have a notepad and a pen on your bedside table.
Step 2: Once it's bedtime, don't try going to sleep just yet. Instead, pick up the notepad and the pen you have deposited nearby and write down everything you're worried about. Keep writing. Write some more. Write until you can't think of anything else worrisome to write about.
Step 3: Tell yourself that the journal will safeguard all those thoughts until morning, then turn off the light, and try going to sleep again.
Step 4 (optional bonus step, before turning off the light): Switch to gratitude journal mode. Write down as many things as you can think of that you're grateful for. Or at least ten.
Chances are that you'll feel much less stressed and will be able to fall asleep much more easily than before. In fact, you may well fall asleep with your journal still in your hand.
To enhance the effect of the writing, you may also want to add aromatherapy or herbs, but those won't do you much good until you've tamed those worrywart thoughts. Once they have been safely deposited in your notebook, your mind will know that they won't go anywhere, and it can relax and let you get some rest.
And for more ways to feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed, you are invited to get your FREE ebook with seven mood-boosting and stress-reducing strategies. Or maybe you want the full-sized version instead, with lots more strategies.
Last, but not least, please visit Elisabeth's eclectic self-help blog for more resources for body, mind, spirit, and prosperity.