We all know that life can sometimes feel like a never-ending roller coaster of deadlines, meetings, and personal commitments. Whether you’re juggling a demanding job, a busy family life, or both, stress is often an unwelcome companion. Stress can lead to poor mental health which can impact the way we function on a daily basis. But what if I told you there’s a simple, enjoyable way to tackle that stress head-on and reclaim your peace of mind? Enter journaling – your new best friend to achieving good mental health, which can greatly impact your happiness and achieving your goals in life.
What is Journaling?
When people talk about a journal, they mean a diary or notebook used to just scribble down your thoughts. But it’s more than that; it’s a powerful tool that can help you process emotions, clear your mind, and even boost your creativity.
Writing down your thoughts on what happened each day can allow you to gain more self-awareness. Whether it be about your home, work life or anything else. Maintaining a work journal is a fantastic method for monitoring your thoughts and ideas throughout the day. It’s also an excellent tool for tracking your progress toward goals. To maximise the benefits of a work journal, make sure you’re using it for the right reasons.
Here's Why Journaling Should be Used in the Workplace
As people navigate the complexities of modern work life stress and mental health challenges have become significant concerns affecting employees across all industries. This persistent stress not only impacts individual well-being but also has far-reaching effects on organisational productivity, employee engagement, and overall workplace morale.
Some facts about stress and mental health in the workplace:
- Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions. (Mental Health Foundation)
- The most common cause of stress is of course work-related with 79% of surveyors agreeing (Statistica).
- 19% of UK workers say their employer has no measures in place to relieve work stress (Spill)
As businesses strive to maintain competitive edges and high performance, addressing the mental health of their workforce has never been more critical. Recognising and mitigating these issues is essential for fostering a healthy, resilient, and productive work environment. These issues have inspired a range of strategies aimed at fostering resilience and emotional stability.
Among these, journaling has emerged as a particularly effective practice.
How Journaling Can Be Implemented in the Workplace and the Benefits it Can Bring to your Company
Below are a few ways journaling can be implemented into current working practices.
Training Programs: Journaling can be integrated into existing training programs for new employees or for a role that requires more responsibility. For example, a new manager should be encouraged to journal in leadership training to teach.
Educate: Teach the benefits of journaling and the success it brings for personal and professional growth. Maybe introduce journaling from employees who already practice the habit to make it more personal.
Organise Journaling Sessions: Take the next step into work practices by scheduling group journaling sessions. Employees can share their ideas and thoughts, and this encourages a sense of community and team bonding.
Promote as a Personal Development Tool: Employees can learn to be independent and identify their progress and areas for growth.
Teaching Privacy and Confidentiality: Highlight the significance of privacy and confidentiality in workplace journaling. Urge employees to keep their personal journals secure and to respect the privacy of their colleagues.
The current trend of promoting wellness and mental health support within business cultures signifies a profound shift towards more integral employee well-being. By integrating practices such as journaling, organisations can create a supportive environment that not only addresses mental health proactively but also enhances productivity and job satisfaction. Embracing such practices can lead to a more engaged, resilient, and innovative workforce, ultimately driving the organisation towards sustained success and a positive workplace culture.
How to Get Started with Journaling
Ready to dive into the world of journaling? Here are some tips to help you start strong:
Find Your Medium:
Whether it’s a fancy leather-bound notebook or a plain spiral pad, you can choose whatever feels right for you and your business. The key is to pick something you’re comfortable with and excited to use. If it’s for the workplace, maybe something that matches your company’s branding! At Complete Merchandise, we supply a wide range of promotional notebooks perfect for journaling, see our notebook range today.
Set Aside Time: Consistency is key. Try to set aside at least 10-15 minutes a day for journaling practice. Morning, during your lunch break, or evening, it doesn’t matter – just find a time that works best for you and along with your fellow employees.
Let It Flow: Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or making sense. This is a space to let loose. Write whatever comes to mind, even if it feels silly or trivial.
Use Prompts:Feeling stuck? Prompts can be a great way to get the words flowing. Here are a few to get you started:
- How do I contribute to my team’s success, and what can I do to enhance this contribution?
- Who inspires me in my workplace, and what can I learn from them?
- What’s one thing that’s been on my mind lately?
- How did I handle a recent challenge?
- What are my goals for the today/next week/month/year?
Review and Reflect: Every once in a while, look back at what you’ve written. Reflecting on your entries can provide valuable insights and show you how much you’ve grown.
Final Thoughts
Journaling is more than just a stress-busting technique; it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. So grab a pen, find a cosy spot, and start writing, to a calmer, happier you. Whether you’re the director, a manager, or an employee looking to contribute this new idea to the workplace. Encourage everyone’s participation in this practice and ensure the team can grasp and understand the value of how powerful this habit can be in their personal or team’s career development. Remember, every word jotted down is a step towards conquering stress and embracing a more peaceful mind. Happy journaling!
