Ask anyone who has a regular journaling practice. They will tell you there is something very therapeutic about getting your thoughts down on paper. In fact, as a leader in elder care in Loveland, CO, we have seen the many benefits keeping a journal provides not only to seniors but to their families as well.
All it Takes is Pen and Paper
One of the great things about journaling is that it’s something you can do anytime, anywhere. And whether you write in your journal every day or just when the mood strikes you, you’ll find there are many advantages. Journaling can help you:
- Sharpen your recall of important events. Many people find that if they simply jot down down a few key details about an event, reading those notes later can bring the entire episode back vividly to mind.
- Purge negative thoughts and emotions. We’ve all had the experience of wrestling with a negative thought or emotion that we just can’t get out of our head. Often writing about our feelings helps us examine, understand and move past them.
- Outline your goals and plans. At Green House Homes, we encourage our residents to be continually challenging themselves and growing. Having a written set of goals and a plan for achieving them is very helpful.
- Express yourself creatively. In addition to the prose they put into their journal, many people will write poems, doodle or draw pictures. That creative expression is enjoyable in the moment and also fun to look back on later.
- Sleep better. Often recalling things that happened today or looking ahead to what will happen tomorrow can make it hard to drift off to sleep. Writing those thoughts down can be very relaxing and help prepare your mind for sleep.
- Share your thoughts with future generations. Providing your loved ones, including those yet to be born, with a way to put themselves in your shoes and see life from your perspective is a wonderful gift. And, it’s a gift that will keep giving to each person who becomes the keeper of your journal.
Recording Your Unique Experiences
The Green House Homes real-home model of elder care is centered around the idea of genuine connection and meaningful experiences. Journaling is a great way to save and cherish those experiences even as you look ahead to new ones. Consequently, that simple practice can have a profound impact on your quality of life and your enjoyment of our unique skilled nursing community.
