LeStallion
LeStallion
Journaling for Mental Health - How Journaling Transforms Mental Well-being
https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-mental-health
Journaling isn't just about keeping a diary—it's a scientifically proven tool for transforming your mental health and emotional well-being. We unpack the fascinating neuroscience behind this simple practice, revealing how writing about your emotions actually regulates your amygdala, the brain's emotion center, creating measurable changes in your stress response.
From anxiety-busting "worry dumps" to perspective-shifting gratitude practices, we explore a toolbox of journaling techniques you can customize to address your specific mental health needs. What makes these approaches so powerful isn't just their effectiveness but their accessibility—all you need is a notebook, pen, and a few minutes of your day to experience significant benefits.
We dive deep into practical strategies for making journaling a sustainable habit, overcoming blank page anxiety with prompts, and selecting journals that enhance your writing experience. You'll discover how treating journaling as an appointment with yourself and creating a personalized practice can transform an occasional activity into a life-changing ritual.
Perhaps most compelling are the long-term benefits of journaling as a form of self-discovery. By becoming a "detective of your own mind," you'll uncover patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that might otherwise remain invisible, creating the self-awareness that serves as the foundation for personal growth. Your journal becomes not just a therapeutic tool, but a time capsule—documenting your journey and leaving breadcrumbs for your future self to follow.
Ready to transform your mental well-being through the power of pen and paper? Grab your favorite notebook and join us on this exploration of how the simplest tools often bring the most profound healing.
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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All right. So today we are going deep on journaling for mental health.
Speaker 2:Ooh, that's a good one.
Speaker 1:Yeah right, it's something that, like, everybody kind of knows about. You know, it's always sort of floating around out there.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But we've got like a huge stack of research articles, personal anecdotes and even some cool stuff from Lestallion.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, they're fantastic.
Speaker 1:They are right. They're really making waves in this whole mental health journaling space.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and I think one of the things that sets them apart is that they don't just sell journals.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:They actually dive into the why and how of using journaling for mental well-being.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love that about them. It's not just about you know, buying pretty notebook.
Speaker 2:Oh really.
Speaker 1:It's about actually using it as a tool to improve your mental health.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So I'm curious, for people who are maybe new to this whole journaling thing, what are some of the like key benefits that that we're seeing in the research and in these articles?
Speaker 2:Well, you know, I was skeptical at first too but, I had a friend who was going through a really rough time huge anxiety and she started journaling every night, just doing a brain dump of everything that was swirling in her head, yeah, and you know what? It actually helped her sleep better, wow yeah, it was pretty remarkable.
Speaker 1:That's amazing.
Speaker 2:And it really speaks to the power of emotional release that journaling can provide.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like creating that safe space outside of your head to kind of process everything without judgment.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and Lestallion. They actually cite studies showing that journaling can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.
Speaker 1:Oh wow. So it's not just like anecdotal evidence.
Speaker 2:No, it's backed by science.
Speaker 1:It's really fascinating stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and here's where the science gets really cool, like writing about your emotions actually helps regulate the amygdala.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:Which is the part of the brain that processes emotions. So you know it's not just venting, it's actually calming down your brain's stress response.
Speaker 1:So it's like a physical change in your brain.
Speaker 2:Exactly Just from writing. Yeah, it's pretty incredible.
Speaker 1:That's amazing. So we're seeing stress reduction, anxiety reduction. What other kind of mental health benefits are out there that people are talking about?
Speaker 2:Well, journaling is a fantastic tool for increasing self-awareness. It allows you to step back and observe your thoughts and behaviors. You can start to notice patterns that you might not have been conscious of before.
Speaker 1:Like becoming a detective of your own mind.
Speaker 2:Exactly that's a cool way to put it and that increased self-awareness can be so empowering.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know. It helps you understand your triggers, helps you develop healthier coping mechanisms and even just make more conscious choices in your life.
Speaker 1:I was reading about that in some of the Lestallion materials. They really emphasize journaling as a way to kind of manage anxiety. Yeah, and I could see how that self-awareness piece would really play into that. Absolutely Do they recommend any like specific techniques for that.
Speaker 2:Oh, they have a whole bunch.
Speaker 1:Oh cool.
Speaker 2:One that really stood out to me is the worry dumping exercise.
Speaker 1:Okay, I like the sound of that.
Speaker 2:You set a timer for like five minutes and you just write down every single worry that pops into your head.
Speaker 1:Oh wow, no editing, no censoring, just let it all flow out.
Speaker 2:That's so interesting because it's almost like you're giving yourself permission to worry. You are. You know for that short amount of time.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and then you can literally close the book on those anxieties and hopefully get a better night's sleep.
Speaker 2:That reminds me of something my grandma used to do.
Speaker 1:Oh really.
Speaker 2:She wasn't a big journaler, but whenever she was feeling super overwhelmed, she'd grab a piece of paper, write down all the things that were bothering her, and then she would rip it up into tiny pieces and throw it away.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:She said it felt like she was physically letting go of those worries.
Speaker 1:That's a beautiful example of how even these simple acts of writing can be therapeutic. Yeah, and you know, the Stallion's journals are actually designed with these kinds of techniques in mind.
Speaker 2:Oh really.
Speaker 1:They use this thick, high-quality paper that can handle all sorts of pens and markers, so you can really let loose without worrying about bleed through. I have one of their journals.
Speaker 2:Oh nice.
Speaker 1:I got it as a gift and, honestly, the paper quality alone makes the writing experience so much more enjoyable. I know it's amazing. It feels less like a chore and more like a self-care ritual.
Speaker 2:That's one of the things I love about Lestallion they really recognize that the physical journal itself can play a role in enhancing those therapeutic benefits.
Speaker 1:It's like they've thought of everything.
Speaker 2:Yeah, durable, binding, lay, flat design, even little details like rounded corners it all adds up to create this really positive and inviting journaling experience so we've talked about emotional release and anxiety management yeah what other kind of journaling methods are out there? Well, one that's been gaining a lot of popularity is gratitude journaling yeah, I've heard of that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, is it all about?
Speaker 2:it's about focusing on the positive okay well, stallion suggests taking a few minutes each day to write down three things that you're grateful for. Okay, and it could be anything from you know a delicious cup of coffee to a supportive friend, to just you know, a beautiful sunset Anything that brings you joy.
Speaker 1:You know, I've tried that before and I have to admit, even on those days where it feels like everything is terrible, yeah. It's surprisingly hard not to find at least three things.
Speaker 2:Right. To be grateful for it's like a little challenge, but a good one. Yeah, it shifts your perspective a little bit. It does, and Lestallion actually has journals with dedicated sections for gratitude prompts, so you don't even have to stare at a blank page wondering where to start.
Speaker 1:That's cool. So you're kind of guided a little bit.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So we've got these different techniques.
Speaker 2:Worry dumping. Gratitude journaling.
Speaker 1:Are there any that are more about like exploring your inner world?
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Like digging into those deeper thoughts and emotions.
Speaker 2:Lestallion recommends stream of consciousness writing for that.
Speaker 1:Okay, I've heard that term before, but I don't really know what it means.
Speaker 2:So imagine your thoughts are like a river, you know, constantly flowing Okay, stream of consciousness. Writing is about capturing those thoughts as they arise, without judgment or editing.
Speaker 1:So it's kind of like a brain dump, but more poetic.
Speaker 2:Exactly, you got it.
Speaker 1:So it sounds like Lestallion really emphasizes having like a toolbox of different techniques.
Speaker 2:They do and I think that's important. Yeah, there's no one size fits all approach to journaling.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's about finding what works best for you and your individual needs.
Speaker 1:And they seem to do a really good job of explaining not just what to do but the why behind it.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Which I think is so important.
Speaker 2:It is. It makes the whole process feel more intentional and meaningful.
Speaker 1:Okay, so we've covered the benefits, we've talked about some key techniques, but how do we actually make journaling a habit?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:That's something that I personally struggle with. Life gets busy.
Speaker 2:Me too.
Speaker 1:And it's easy to let those good intentions fall by the wayside.
Speaker 2:It happens to the best of us.
Speaker 1:So what does Listallion have to say about building that journaling habit and sticking with it?
Speaker 2:Well, they have some really practical advice.
Speaker 1:Okay, let's hear it.
Speaker 2:That goes beyond just saying make time for it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we've all heard that before.
Speaker 2:Right, it's like okay, well, how? So one of their suggestions is to think about your journaling habit like any other appointment that you wouldn't want to miss?
Speaker 1:Okay, so schedule it in.
Speaker 2:Literally schedule it into your day.
Speaker 1:Interesting.
Speaker 2:Even if it's just for five or ten minutes.
Speaker 1:So put it on the calendar like it's a meeting with yourself. Exactly, I like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and what about those times when you sit down to write and you're just like Blank page staring at you. Totally blank page and you're like I don't know what to write. Yeah, Lestallion is huge. On using prompts.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They have tons of them on their website and even in some of their journals.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's cool.
Speaker 2:It's like having a little nudge to get your thoughts flowing.
Speaker 1:Prompts are great. Yeah, they are. I use them all the time, even outside of journaling. Oh, you too. It's amazing how just having that starting point can make a world of difference.
Speaker 2:And they can be so varied. Like well, stallion even encourages you to create your own prompts based on what you want to explore.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's cool.
Speaker 2:So you know, want to reflect on a relationship. There's a prompt for that Need to work through a tough decision, Prompt time.
Speaker 1:It's like having a personal writing coach in your back pocket.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:So we've got the scheduling, we've got the scheduling. We've got the prompts. What about the actual journal itself? Oh yeah because, let's be real, a gorgeous journal, oh, totally be pretty motivated definitely, but for listallion it goes beyond just the aesthetics okay they really focus on features that make the writing experience enjoyable and therapeutic so what kind of features are we talking about?
Speaker 2:so thick, high quality paper that prevents ink bleed through is a big one.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Because who wants to deal with messy pages?
Speaker 1:I've totally abandoned journals in the past because of that.
Speaker 2:It's so frustrating.
Speaker 1:Like the ink bleeding through just oh. It ruins the whole experience.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and Lestallion gets that. You know their journals are designed for you to use whatever writing tools you love without worrying about that. Okay, fountain pens, markers, you name it.
Speaker 1:So it's about letting you express yourself freely, exactly, okay. So paper quality is key, right? What else?
Speaker 2:Durable, binding. You know, think about it. This journal is going to hold your thoughts, emotions, maybe even some really big life moments.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It needs to be able to handle being tossed in a bag, carried around, maybe even a few tear stains that's a coin, you know, so it needs to be sturdy it's like this little book becomes a witness to your life it does I love that and beyond the practical stuff, they're really big on personalization okay, so so adding inspirational quotes, creating custom sections for different types of entries, doodlingling, drawing in your journal, like really make it your own.
Speaker 1:This is making me think of my cousin's journal. She's an artist.
Speaker 2:Oh cool.
Speaker 1:And her journal is like this explosion of color and words.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:Quotes, sketches. She even presses, like dried flowers, between the pages.
Speaker 2:Oh wow, that's beautiful.
Speaker 1:That's incredible.
Speaker 2:That's a perfect example of what Lestallion encourages making the journal a reflection of your unique journey.
Speaker 1:Okay, so we've talked about setting intentions, making time, using prompts, choosing the right journal. What else does Lestallion recommend for really getting the most out of journaling?
Speaker 2:This might sound obvious, but they really emphasize reflection. So you know, don't just write and forget about it.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Go back and read your past entries.
Speaker 1:Oh, that can be so powerful.
Speaker 2:It can.
Speaker 1:I've done that before and it's amazing to see how your perspective changes over time.
Speaker 2:Right, you can spot patterns in your thinking. Right, you know, you can notice how you've handled a certain challenges. You can even celebrate your growth.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's like having a conversation with your past self.
Speaker 1:I was reading through some old journals from high school.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:And I was cringing at some of the drama.
Speaker 2:Oh, I bet.
Speaker 1:But it was also fascinating to see how much I've evolved since then.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:Lestallion actually has a journal specifically for reflection right.
Speaker 2:They do. What's that like? It has all sorts of prompts and exercises that are geared towards helping you analyze your past entries and extract these meaningful insights from them.
Speaker 1:So it's not just reminiscing.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:It's about actually using your journal as a tool for self-discovery and growth.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:We've covered so much ground in this deep dive From the neuroscience of emotional processing to the art of choosing the right journal.
Speaker 2:It's been quite a journey.
Speaker 1:It really has, and it's clear that Lestallion is passionate about making journaling accessible and effective.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. They seem to have thought of everything to support people on their journaling journey.
Speaker 1:But even with all these tools and techniques, the most important thing is to remember that journaling is a personal practice.
Speaker 2:So true.
Speaker 1:There's no right or wrong way to do it.
Speaker 2:It's about finding what resonates with you and making it your own.
Speaker 1:Whether you're a seasoned journaler or just starting out, there's always something new to discover.
Speaker 2:That's the beauty of it it's a lifelong journey of self-exploration and growth.
Speaker 1:I love that. Yeah, before we wrap up, I'd love to hear your final thoughts on the power of journaling for mental well-being.
Speaker 2:Well, what strikes me is how simple yet profound this practice can be. It's accessible to anyone, regardless of their background or writing skills, and even just a few minutes a day can make a significant difference in how you feel and how you navigate life's challenges.
Speaker 1:Beautifully said. It's a reminder that we all have the power to cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and prioritize our mental well-being, and sometimes all it takes is a pen and a notebook and a willingness to explore the landscape of our own minds.
Speaker 2:That's a great way to put it.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So, lestallion, you know, they really dive into this idea of making journaling a habit, because it's one thing to say, oh, I should journal, but like, how do you actually make it stick? You know, Right. So they have this advice about treating your journaling habit like it's an appointment.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay.
Speaker 2:Something you wouldn't want to miss, like literally putting it on your calendar.
Speaker 1:yeah, schedule it in, even if it's just for five minutes, ten minutes, a meeting with yourself exactly.
Speaker 2:And you know, sometimes you sit down to write and it's like, oh yeah, total blank page. You know the word and that's where listallion's big on prompts oh right, yeah, they have a ton of them on their website, in some of their journals oh, I love a good prompt. They're so helpful, right?
Speaker 1:It's like they give you that little nudge.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And they can be about anything you know. Lestallion's even like make your own prompts.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's fun.
Speaker 2:Yeah, if you want to reflect on a relationship or you're trying to make a tough decision, there's a prompt for that.
Speaker 1:You could spend is just looking through prompts, I bet.
Speaker 2:You probably could. But you know, aside from the prompts, the journal itself, Lestallion, has strong opinions about that too.
Speaker 1:Because a beautiful journal is kind of motivating.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely. But for them it goes beyond just the looks.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's about the features that actually make it a better experience for journaling.
Speaker 1:So like what.
Speaker 2:Thick paper. Okay, so the ink doesn't bleed through. Oh, I hate that. I know it's the worst, right, you're trying to write and it's all messy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, makes me not even want to use the journal.
Speaker 2:I've definitely abandoned journals for that reason. But, Lestallion, they want you to be able to use any pen you know fountain, pen, markers, whatever you like.
Speaker 1:So you can really get into it.
Speaker 2:Totally yeah, and durable binding too.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Because this is a journal that's meant to, you know, hold important stuff.
Speaker 1:Right, like it's got to last.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it can be tossed in your bag, you know, maybe even a few tears on the pages, oh, that's kind of sweet. Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 1:Like this little book is going through life with you.
Speaker 2:And Lestallion. You can tell they get that. Yeah, Because they're also big on making the journal your own.
Speaker 1:Hmm, how so.
Speaker 2:So like adding inspirational quotes or making different sections, you know, for different kinds of writing. Yeah, doodling, drawing in it.
Speaker 1:Oh, it's like a scrapbook almost.
Speaker 2:It can be. I mean, it's your space, right?
Speaker 1:My cousin. She's an artist, cool, and her journal is unbelievable, oh wow. It's got like everything in it Quotes, little sketches, even pressed flowers.
Speaker 2:That sounds so beautiful.
Speaker 1:It is. It's like this whole world inside a notebook.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think that's what Lestallion's all about making it really reflect you.
Speaker 1:So we've talked about setting intentions, scheduling it in prompts, the journal itself.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:What else? Anything else? Lestallion recommends to make the most of it.
Speaker 2:They talk a lot about reflection.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Like don't just write in it and then forget it, you know. Go back and read what you wrote. Oh yeah, it can be really powerful to see how your thinking changes.
Speaker 1:I was reading old journals from high school and it was like so much drama.
Speaker 2:I bet.
Speaker 1:But it was really cool to see how I've grown, you know.
Speaker 2:And that's the thing. You can spot those patterns.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:See how you handled stuff, even celebrate your wins. I love that. It's like you're talking to your past self.
Speaker 1:I think Lestallion even has a journal for reflection right.
Speaker 2:They do.
Speaker 1:What's that like?
Speaker 2:It's got all these prompts and things to help you, you know, really get something out of those old entries.
Speaker 1:So it's more than just like reminiscing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's like actively using it to learn and grow.
Speaker 1:We've covered a lot in this deep dive.
Speaker 2:We have I mean from the brain science to like the perfect pen.
Speaker 1:It's a lot.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:But, lysdalian, they really seem to have thought of everything.
Speaker 2:They do. You can tell they're passionate about it. Yeah, but you know, even with all the tips and the fancy journals, the most important thing is that it feels good to you.
Speaker 1:Right, like there's no right way.
Speaker 2:It's your journal.
Speaker 1:It's personal, exactly so, whether you've been journaling forever or you're thinking about starting, there's always something new to discover, it seems.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, it's a journey.
Speaker 1:I love that yeah. So, before we wrap up, any final thoughts on the power of journaling.
Speaker 2:You know, what gets me is how simple it is and yet it can be so powerful, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like anyone can do it Right. It doesn't matter who you are, what your background is, it's just you in a notebook yeah, and even a few minutes can make a difference. That's amazing, it is. It really reminds you that you have the power to take care of your mental health.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it could be as simple as grabbing a pen and, just you know, letting your thoughts out beautifully said, thanks.
Speaker 2:I love this idea that, like, all you need is a pen, a notebook and a little bit of curiosity about your own mind.
Speaker 1:Totally. You know it's funny. You're talking about your cousin's journal.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It just made me think about how these notebooks, they kind of become like time capsules. Yeah, of our thoughts and feelings and experiences.
Speaker 2:It's like we're leaving these little breadcrumbs for our future selves to find.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and imagine like finding a journal Right From like your great grandparents or something.
Speaker 2:Gosh, what a treasure that would be.
Speaker 1:To like get a glimpse into their world.
Speaker 2:It would be fascinating. Yeah, it really is amazing how powerful the written word can be.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:You know, it's not just about communication.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's about connecting with ourselves, making sense of our experiences and even leaving a little piece of ourselves behind.
Speaker 1:And I think the Stallion really captures that in their mission. It's not just about selling journals. It's about empowering people to tell their stories, to honor their journeys and to use writing as a tool for self-discovery and growth.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, we've covered so much ground in this deep dive From the science of journaling to the art of personalizing your practice.
Speaker 1:It's been a lot.
Speaker 2:But I think the biggest takeaway for me is that journaling isn't just for writers or therapists.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's a gift we can all give ourselves.
Speaker 1:I couldn't agree more, and even if you've never kept a journal before, it's never too late to start.
Speaker 2:That's so true.
Speaker 1:Just grab a notebook and a pen and see where your thoughts take you.
Speaker 2:And maybe, just maybe, those scribbles will become a treasured artifact someday. I love that A testament to the power of your own unique story, beautiful. So to our listeners, we encourage you to explore the world of journaling for yourselves.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You might be surprised by what you discover.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And as always, we'd love to hear from you, Share your thoughts, experiences and favorite journaling prompts with us on social media.
Speaker 2:Yeah, let's keep this conversation going.
Speaker 1:Until next time, happy writing.
Speaker 2:Happy writing.