Have you found yourself in a place of uncertainty?
Have your scars of yesterday come to haunt your peaceful present?
Are you caught in the middle of a complex spiritual battle?
If you answered yes to any of these questions chances are you’re struggling mentally. We know that the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking to devour and destroy the peace and confidence our God has given us. Our minds could quickly become a battleground where our doubts, insecurities, fears and lack of self-worth tear down the word of assurance and work of perfection God is doing within us.
Journaling for Mental Health
If you’ve answered yes to most of these questions chances are you are struggling mentally. Mental illnesses like anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and/or stress presents everyday women with a struggle that impacts her social, mental, physical and spiritual being. According to a survey published by NHS England, one in six adults are suffering mentally.
So how do we combat the negativity that seems to be circulating all around us? How do we keep track of our mental wellbeing? Writing journal prompts for mental health is one strategy. Keeping a journal is a great wellness practice because it builds a habit of self–reflection through open—ended expression. Journaling is good for anxiety, causing the restructuring of the subconscious mind. Writing down daily prompts in a journal is the best way to capture negative thoughts and pinpoint areas in your life that require surrender, patience, love and growth. According to a trial published by tbe National Library of Medicine, individuals who wrote their feelings down for at least 15 minutes three days a week had fewer depressive symptoms after a month passed.
Daily Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
We’ve curated a guide of journaling prompts and questions to help those struggling in their inner being. We hope that through these faith-based prompts and daily writing habits, you begin to discover more about yourself and God’s heart towards you.
Anxiety and Stress Journal Prompts
The following anxiety journal questions can help individuals process thoughts that are too challenging to express verbally, causing worry and stress. This creates a positive coping mechanism used in therapy.
1. What are the areas in your life that you can’t control? What are the areas in your life you can control? Cross a line through all the areas you can’t control and give those areas over to Jesus; do not carry the baggage and burdens that come with things outside of your capability and control. Focus and put all your energy into the things that you can do to better any situation in your life.
2. What are five things that you can do to bring peace, clarity and spiritual ease? How can you incorporate these bullet points into your daily life?
3. What situations are you anxious about right now? Write a list of rational and positive outcomes that may occur for all these situations.
4. Make a list of all the things that you have achieved today both great and small. How did you overcome your anxiety and stress in these tasks and how did God show up for you in them?
5. What person in the Bible went through a similar load of stress to yours and how did they overcome it? How can you implement those same methods of faith and resilience into the circumstances you are facing?
Self-Love and Gratitude Journal Prompts
The relationship you have with yourself is the first step towards accepting the love God has for you. You cannot give or receive what you don’t have. If you do not love yourself wholly, you do not truly accept God’s love. We can increase self-love habits and encourage gratitude practices that contribute to a better outlook on life by prompts and making a gratitude list.
6. What areas in your life do you consider to be your strengths? Make a list of all the times your strengths have helped others or gave God glory.
7. In what ways can you show up as your “authentic self” today? What are the fears hindering you from doing so and have you expressed these fears to Jesus through prayer?
8. What are some ways in which you could take better care of yourself both physically, mentally and spiritually? How can you implement these things into your daily routine?
9. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for in your life. How do these things positively impact you?
10. What are some things you can do to enrich your body, mind and spirit today?
Depression and Trauma Journal Prompts
Dealing with depression can be very hard. One day you’re experiencing a serotonin high and the next plagued by an overwhelming hopelessness. These depression journal prompts will help create awareness and understanding. Most times when a person is facing depression their perception of the world is distorted. Everything seems to be dark and gloomy, especially dealing with past trauma. When you write down your feelings using journaling prompts for depression you are able to process and express yourself better.
11. In what ways can you forgive yourself for your past mistakes? What will that look like for you and in what ways can you show up for yourself? Do you believe that Jesus has forgiven you as well for these mistakes?
12. Where are you in your healing journey and have you laid all your brokenness, burdens and past at Jesus’ feet? What has your healing journey looked like?
13. What does the Bible say about you? How can you start walking in these declarations of truth daily, make a list of these journaling questions?
14. Write down a list of ways you can take care of yourself emotionally. Is there an underlying theme or something to take notice of?
15. Write down phrases you say when speaking about yourself. What are some positives you can use to combat them? What are some scripture verses you can use as well and spiritual journal prompts?
Remember, you are whole, loved so deeply and adored by Heaven. May the Holy Spirit transform your mind into a home of peace, truth and love.
