Journaling doesn't have to be a complicated or time-consuming activity. Over time, you will probably even come to enjoy it. In the beginning it can be helpful to keep it simple, and just record:
- What happened (argument with spouse, stressful incident at work, receiving bad news, etc.)
- How you felt when it happened (anxious, angry, sad, panicky, etc.)
- How you reacted (what did you say or do?)
- How you could have reacted better (talked it over, removed yourself from the situation to calm down, talked to a friend about it, etc.)
As you begin to see a pattern in the types of incidents that cause you a lot of stress and how you deal with them, you will be able to formulate a plan for dealing with these situations more effectively and in a healthier manner.
This can be a very effective way of developing better coping strategies and learning to manage stress.
