Google journaling and you will find lots of articles to support why it is such a good thing.
Recently I’ve started to keep notepaper and a pen by my bedside. No, it isn’t to journal every night, but it is a way I’ve found to empty my mind when I need to sleep.
You see, if something(s) that happened during the day is still on my mind when I am ready to go to bed, chances are it will disturb my sleep. Usually it is ruminating over something I said or should have said; something I did or should have done. It may be something that has me worried or anxious.
Now, when this happens I’ve started to empty it out on paper. On one side I write down:
(1) what is the issue, who might be involved and, most importantly,
(2) how it is making me feel. I let all that negativity flow onto the paper. ALL of it. If I am angry or hurt, I write that.
When this is done, I turn the paper over and write down anything or anyone that gave me joy that day. As a child of God, I also write an affirmation that reminds me of his love and forgiveness.
It is incredible how light I feel after doing this; like all negative energy has been released from my body. The next morning the paper is destroyed. I rarely reread it to avoid regurgitating past concerns.
The next time you head to bed but can’t sleep because your mind is wired and you feel stressed, let. it. all. out! Write until you feel like it is all out. It is just you and the paper so be very honest in expressing how you feel. Release that negative energy! Then fill your mind with elements of joy – write an affirmation, a quote, a list of what made you happy that day even if it was just for a minute. The next day destroy the paper.
Let me know how you feel afterwards; hopefully you find it as cathartic as I have.
Live well and Love life 