If you have been searching for journal prompts for mental health, you’ve come to the right place.
Journaling is a great way to improve mental health. You are able to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. It can help you process your emotions, gain clarity in difficult times, and even boost your mood. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start.
Keeping a journal can also be a great way to unwind and reflect on your day. It’s also an amazing tool for self-discovery and growth. We have shared some journaling that we recommend for self-care and internal reflection.
Starting a journaling practice for your mental health and having trouble getting started? It’s very common. I (shannon) have a lot of trouble getting started, while Gerry is great at it. Gerry has a list of journal prompts that he has for himself and shared with me.
Start Journaling with these Prompts for Improving Mental Health
We’ve compiled this list of journal prompts that are designed to help you get started writing in your journal. We hope they are helpful as you begin to write out your thoughts and feelings. These are especially helpful if you are looking for journal prompts to improve mental health.
Start the morning by writing how I want to feel when I go to bed tonight.
Regular journaling doesn’t have to be in the morning, but even if you jot down a few sentences, manifesting how you want the day to go, puts out positive energy into your world.
Today I am challenged by…
Write the challenges you are facing. Often, I have found that simply making a bullet journal of my challenges or negative thoughts, makes me feel more at ease.
The best advice I’ve ever received is…
This can be someone talking you through times of high anxiety, self-talk, or even giving you some suggested coping mechanisms.
Where do I want to visit in my dreams tonight?
This is a great way to have a positive mindset as you enter your sleep. This is a prompt that we love. We have discussions before bed about where we want to go in our dreams, and who we want to see.
List five things you are grateful for.
We have talked about implementing a gratitude practice. If five things to be grateful for seems too steep, aim for at least three— even if it is breathing.
How do you envision yourself moving through life five years from now? Ten years from now?
Often, writing out the positive you that you want for yourself is a great way of bringing it to life. This is similar to a vision board. You may not see it, but journal prompts like this are great for mental health awareness. It helps to generate a positive mindset for your day.
This week- what success did I experience? What challenges did I endure? What wonderful, unexpected things happened?
Reflecting on the past is a great way to learn from it, but it is also a positive way to put it in the past. Moving forward, turning the page (literally) can be therapeutic.
What is one thing I must accomplish today?
Sometimes this can seem overwhelming, but when you are experiencing depression, it may be beneficial to give yourself a task like, “I want to accomplish making up the bed today, or taking a shower.” These may seem like small accomplishments, but they are huge in times when you feel as though you cannot move.
Today taught me that…
Describe what you walk away from today having learned. There is always something. There is a reason people say, “you learn something new every day.” It doesn’t have to be the perfect day. It could be that a challenging day taught you lessons.
Write a letter to three of your favorite supporters.
When you think about the people in the course of your life who have supported you along the way, there was a sense of comfort in knowing they believed in you. Over time, you may feel you are alone, but you are not. Write a letter, even if you are not going to give it to them. Tell them how you feel about having their support.
Our top recommendations for mental health journals
Similar to our suggestions for guided journals for self-care, we have a few suggestions for guided journals for mental health. They include, not only health journal prompts, but suggestions to move through daily life with less stress.
52-Week Mental Health Journal
We love this as a general mental health journal that includes prompts, but also is a great way to align your year toward improving self-awareness.
The Best of Me: A Daily Food, Gratitude, and Self-Care Journal for Women to Get in Your Best Shape Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually
This journal, meant for women, is a great way to combine gratitude as well as overall wellness.
Daily Mood Tracker Journal for Mental Health: A Wellness Journal for Understanding your Emotional Patterns | Track your Feelings, Anxiety, Food Intake, Activity, Sleep, and Goals
We love this because it is a great way to keep track of the feelings you are having. It is not just limited to mental health issues, but also general well-being, and physical triggers.
How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself
While this isn’t exactly a journal, it can spark great journaling prompts as you begin to have conversations with yourself through writing.
Journaling as a tool for improving mental health
Journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool for self-care and personal growth, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming just trying to get started. We hope these journal prompts have provided some inspiration for those of us who are new to writing. Taking even 15 minutes each day to write out your thoughts can make a huge difference in helping you achieve greater wellness and happiness in life. So go ahead—give it a try. You may just find that you enjoy the practice and find it as fulfilling as we do.
It’s ok to ask for help
If you are someone who struggles with mental illness, know that you are not alone. You may find this list of resources helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out. You can feel free to email us if you need direct resources or have questions about our journey. The more we all talk about mental health and mental illness, the less stigma there is surrounding the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
There are no rules when it comes to journaling. You do not have to follow journal prompts or write in a certain tone. These prompts are just meant to help get you started.
Yes! Gerry has a list of journal prompts that he has compiled through the years. He has found many that he created to be helpful to get the juices flowing. Get creative! Have a list of journal prompts ready for yourself.
While this list is geared toward mental health journaling, it can be used for anything you want to journal about. Self-reflection is the main goal for a lot of journaling. You can find many types of prompts out there from problem-solving to working through grief, anxiety, and more.
