5 Journal Prompts for Coping During Stress

Journaling can be a great mood booster. It doesn’t cost you anything all you need is paper, pen, and a quite place. But if you’re like me and you like easthetically pleasing journals here are my top 3 from stationary makers PAPIER.

Tip #1: TODAY I FEEL.

There is so much power in naming your emotions. Once you define what you are feeling you then have the power to discover what it is telling you. Many of us try to ignore or suppress negative emotions because they are uncomfortable. However by doing so we miss out on what those negative emotions can teach us or tell us about our current state. For example I feel overwhelmed might be telling you to slow down reassess your priorities and make time for yourself. Sitting with negative emotions gets easier when you take the perspective of being curious about what your negative feelings are communicating. Emotions tell us that something in our life needs attention. Also remember every thing is impermanent including feelings.

Tip #2: WRITE 3 GRATITUDES.

Taking on the posture of gratitude can help to ease the mind and as a result relax the body. Our minds are biased to focus on negative things. We must actively re direct our minds to all the positive, most of which we take for granted. All it takes is a simple sinus infection that leave me breathing out of my mouth to be suddenly grateful for a nose that allows air freely in and out. Being a person of gratitude takes practice it is a habit to be formed with intentional practice.

Tip #3: BRAIN DUMP

Stressful circumstances often lead our minds to focus on all the things that are, wrong. This leads to a endless look of anxious feelings fueling more worry and anxiety. Calm the mind by getting all of the reoccurring thoughts down onto paper. Get the thoughts out of your head and onto paper this will lead to a greater sense of lightness in the mind. Think of it like decluttering a chaotic closet, once you pull everything out suddenly what was once overwhelming is now empty.

Tip #4: PRAY FOR OTHERS IN NEED

Focusing on our attention on others is a beautiful way to remember everything you experience is universal. The human experience is a shared experience. Anxiety, worry, fear these emotions are not unique to you. In whatever state you are in there is at least one person right now who has felt the same. The details of the story maybe different but the theme of our lives are all the same.

Tip #4: THE LORDS PRAYER

If you ever find yourself unable to even put your thoughts and emotions into words. Meditate on the Lords prayer. Let it remind you that you are loved.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.