Managing and taking care of our mental health is a lifelong practice that requires a lot of vigilance — and utilizing journaling prompts for mental health is an important element of this journey.
Of course, journaling isn’t the only course of action we can take when it comes to caring for our minds and emotions. We can also improve our mental health with regular therapy, meditation, exercise, keeping up with a healthy diet, nurturing our relationships, and getting enough sleep. But journaling serves the unique purpose of getting us closer to understanding what we need from a mental health standpoint.
Beyond that, research shows that a regular journaling practice is amazing for our mental health. Journaling improves our mood by helping us prioritize our problems, concerns, and fears; it helps us better understand our moods and provides us with a space for positive self-talk. It lowers anxiety and improves resilience, too.
Journaling in a way that’s geared toward better mental health is an excellent way to build on the mental health benefits that already exist when you journal. Get started with these 50 prompts.
- What is your most frequent negative emotion?
- What is your most frequent positive emotion?
- What was the best part of your day today?
- List five things you’re grateful for.
- What’s one thing you know now that you’d like to tell your younger self?
- Write a letter to your future self.
- Think of a hard time in your life. How did you get through it?
- What does “self-care” mean to you?
- When you feel anxious or worried, what is it typically about?
- What practices tend to alleviate your anxiety?
- What physical symptoms show up when you’re anxious?
- When you experience feelings of depression, what are you typically thinking about?
- What’s your favorite form of exercise?
- What experiences or dreams are on your bucket list?
- How do you feel when you spend time away from social media?
- How does exercise make you feel?
- What foods tend to leave you feeling energized?
- What foods leave you feeling depleted or anxious?
- Is there anyone in your life who instantly puts you in a good mood?
- Who is your best friend, and how often do you see them?
- Do you often experience feelings of loneliness? What can you do to alleviate those feelings?
- What does “personal growth” mean to you?
- What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
- Write about the last time you laughed really hard. What inspired that laughter?
- How do you feel when you completely disengage from technology?
- What’s something you’re looking forward to right now?
- What are your long-term goals?
- What do you wish others knew or understood about you?
- Describe your perfect day.
- How do you feel when you spend time alone?
- What’s your happiest memory?
- What does your current daily routine look like? Are you happy with it?
- When you’re in a rut, what helps you get out of it?
- List 10 things that are really important to you.
- When do you feel angry? What typically triggers it?
- When you have a hard time sleeping, what are you up thinking about?
- Do you enjoy getting lost in a book? When was the last time that happened?
- Do you feel you see friends and loved ones enough? If not, what can you do to change that?
- What does your morning routine look like?
- What does your bedtime routine look like?
- What’s one thing you could tweak in your life that would make you just a little bit happier?
- At the end of a long day, what’s one practice that brings you joy?
- What’s your favorite food, and why do you love it so much?
- Do you meditate? If so, how does it make you feel? If not, what’s stopping you?
- How do you feel about your home? Does it feel like a safe, calming space, or is there room for improvement?
- How do you currently spend your free time? Are you happy with it?
- What are your hobbies? Do you spend enough time engaging with them?
- What movie can you watch over and over again that always makes you happy?
- Name one great thing you can do for yourself today.
- What can you do to push yourself outside your comfort zone?