Winter Wellbeing Journal: A Collective Wellbeing Activity

Have you heard about journaling? Journaling is super simple, and involves keeping a written notebook to explore your thoughts and feelings surrounding a topic or the events of your life. 

There are really not any rules although most journaling is a daily exercise, but it is not a planner or a diary. 

Journaling is a really useful check-in tool. There are times in our lives when we feel balanced and motivated, and other times when we’re stressed and overwhelmed. Taking time each day to put pen to paper and just letting your thoughts flow helps you to reflect on it all and feel better.

Journaling has well known benefits, like a boost in mindfulness, wellbeing, memory and communication skills. But studies have also found that writing regularly in a journal can lead to better sleep, a stronger immune system, and more self-confidence!

Some people just like to let their thoughts out each day by writing about whatever comes to mind, but some people like to write around a ‘journal prompt’. A journal prompt is a thought or a question for you to specifically think about that day. It could be something like ‘What makes you a good friend?’ or ‘What would your letter to your teenage self say?’, then you let your thoughts run free around that topic. 

Using prompts is a great way to start your new journaling habit as it removes the problem of ‘what should I write about today?’. So for our Winter Wellbeing Journal activity we will be providing you with a prompt each day for you to use.

Look at your journaling time as a personal relaxation time, and a time to get to know yourself a little bit more. It’s a time when you can de-stress and wind down. Choose to write in a place that’s relaxing and soothing, maybe with a cup of tea. Look forward to your journaling time. And know that you’re doing something good for your mind and body.

So how will our Winter Wellbeing Journal daily activity work?

Every day we will post a simple journal prompt on our both our Derbyshire Mind Facebook and Instagram pages. You are then invited to write this down into your journal notebook. It will be written in the form of a question and is designed to start you thinking! You can then find time that day to get comfy with a cup of tea and explore the question by letting your hand write. It is a great idea to set aside a dedicated time to write each day.

Then, each week on a Friday afternoon at 1.30pm you are invited to join me on Zoom for a virtual cup of tea, to have a chat, and discuss how we have got on with our journaling that week. Stay as long as you like! I look forward to connecting with you all.

What do you need to take part?

All you need to take part in our Winter Wellbeing Journal activity and to start your daily journaling practice is a notebook, a pen and a comfy chair (and maybe a cosy hot drink!).
You might like to find a new blank notebook and a pen that feels nice to write with. Maybe you have a fancy notebook tucked away somewhere from an old christmas present. Starting your journal is a great opportunity to dig it out!

If you want to join in with our Friday virtual meet ups, then you will also need either a laptop or a phone that you can use to click on the Zoom link, or type in the meeting code and password:

Zoom Meeting: Derbyshire Mind Winter Wellbeing Journal Coffee
Afternoon
To Join the Zoom Meeting on Fridays at 1.30pm:
https://zoom.us/j/95670481820?pwd=MFJzRnNTS1VtZkdHVExvSFgwZVp4UT09

Meeting ID: 956 7048 1820
Passcode: WWJ2020
.

Top Tips to help you:

• Try to find time to write every day. Set aside a few minutes every day to write. This will help you to build up the new habit. We will be posting the new prompt each day at 10am.
• Make it easy. Keep a dedicated pen and notebook handy. Then when you want to write down your thoughts, you can. You could also keep a journal in a computer file if that’s better for you.
• Write whatever feels right for you. Your journal doesn’t need to follow any certain structure. It’s your own private place to discuss whatever you want. Let the words flow freely. Try not to worry about spelling mistakes or what other people might think. 
• Use your journal as you see fit. You don’t have to share your journal with anyone. If you do want to share some of your thoughts with trusted friends and loved ones, you could show them just parts of your journal.
• Try different environments. You could take your journal outside and sit on a bench to write. Try a local park, or space in nature. Your garden works well too. A bit of fresh air will help your brain.
• If you don’t like the prompt that day, feel free to write something else. You could even draw pictures or make a collage to support your thoughts if you would like to.

I hope you feel inspired to join in with our daily journaling activity and find it a useful way to support your wellbeing this winter!

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