I’m sharing some simple techniques you can do in 10 minutes every day to improve your mental health through creative writing.
Never has it been more crucial for people to look after their mental health and well-being. The majority of us have either been in lockdown for more than 12 months or on the frontline dealing with more and more emergencies, delivering stock, feeding the nation and keeping the world turning as best as we can but, the strain on service providers and people is showing.
Now is the time to take responsibility for our own well-being, but sometimes, some of us need a little help. I know, I’ve been there.
My mental health took a tumble in 2011 when I was diagnosed with stress, anxiety and depression. Then, a few years later, I had to have a sudden hysterectomy – life-changing surgery that left me feeling downtrodden and, well, worthless. With help from various therapists, counsellors and friends and family, I made it.
Journaling
Take 10 Minutes to start improving your mental health through creative writing.
One of my therapists suggested journaling and, I want to share some tips with you to help you get started, improve your mental health and live a life you truly love.
Stop what you’re doing, grab a pen or pencil and a notebook or piece of paper and sit quietly.
First of all, try this:
- Sit quietly and try to relax,
- Slowly breathe in through your nose to a count of 4,
- Hold the breath for a count of 4,
- Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 5,
- Repeat until you feel calmer.
Now you’re feeling calmer, take your paper and pen and answer the following three questions, honestly. Don’t overthink it write down the first thing that comes to mind:
✨What’s been bothering me lately?
✨Who/what am I grateful for?
✨What can you do right now to make you happy?
If you’re feeling up to it and you have a little more than 10 minutes, you could take a walk in nature and connect to the world around you to do this exercise.
Do this for 10 minutes every day to start with and assess how you feel after just one week.
Starting on your journaling journey will open so many doors. You may take up a new hobby through it if you join a group you will meet new people and make new friends, all great ways to improve your mental health.
My journaling experience.
Following my journaling experience a decade ago, I decided in 2020 to write my debut novel Katie, A New Chapter, turning some of my negatives into positives to help others.
The novel is loosely based on my life experiences and tells the story of a young woman who’s navigating the ups and downs of life, including romantic relationships, mental health and much more. Despite everything life throws at her, will Katie come out on top? Find out and get your Book.
Creative writing
Creativity plays such a large part in mental wellbeing. I always thought it only covered the arts, singers, sculptors and musicians. Being a reader, it had never occurred to me that writing was also creative until I took a course to help me write my book.
Here’s a little bonus task for you.
Do the breathing exercise again, in nature if possible and really connect to nature and the world around you. Let your mind wander, then do this:
Describe your happy place. If you can’t think of one – make it up!
Is this a possible setting for a creative writing project?
Why not try my Healing Through Creative Writing Self Led Course?