Writing it down and letting it go

Kitty Klein, Ph.D., a psychology professor at North Carolina State University, led a team of researchers to observe how journaling can relieve stress in college students. Klein said keeping a journal can reinforce good memory skills that are sometimes forgotten when stress overpowers one's life.

Keeping a journal that impacts one's cognitive skills requires writing about particular events that made an impression on the mind. Klein's research showed that simply writing down daily tasks or listing what one did chronologically doesn't effectively help with stress. Writing about frustrations, an amazing date or something that deeply upset you helps you see patterns and develop memory skills.

Who knew writing everything down could keep you focused?

Journaling is a therapeutic process that requires an individual to sit in silence and consciously think about past events. While writing in a journal, you should understand the point of discussing these issues with yourself is to let go of them. Klein found that people who journal were able to de-clutter their minds because writing issues down helped them forget about previous stressors. By getting around the clutter, the mind is able to focus on specific things and find creative ways to overcome fear, disappointment and pressure.

Sometimes just taking the time to write gives us the space necessary to get out of our state of initial shock. When I write in my journal I find that I relieve some tension in my body and I feel free from the pressure.

Being a college student, I deal with money, job, relationship, academic and social pressures. Klein’s team of researchers spoke with 71 college freshmen who were adjusting to college life. I started journaling my freshman year because adjusting to college is much harder than anyone can prepare you for. Between classes, roommates and boys I had no idea how to handle stress. Once I wrote my feelings down, I was able to form a plan of attack to conquer my problems.

Stress continues to persist outside of college, and journaling is an activity that can travel along the way, too. Though stress will always be lurking around the corner, keeping an open mind and learning from past behaviors should keep a person on a track to avoiding stress.