When we think of self-care, the images that spring to mind may involve spas, gyms, or places where we treat the outside of ourselves with a bit of extra love and attention. But self-care is more than skin deep. It involves taking care of ourselves mentally and emotionally, prioritizing our own well-being so that we can show up both for ourselves and others. There are many ways to approach tending to our inner selves, and thankfully, no gym membership or lush retreat is required. In fact, getting started can be as simple as finding a few minutes and a quiet corner to crack open a book. Whether that book is a journal or a guide is up to you. Here are some ways to find peace between the pages.
Journaling for Self-Care
Pouring thoughts onto the page is not a new practice, but you may be interested in the scientific evidence of journaling on mental health. The articles below will shed some light on this topic, outlining the benefits of the practice as well as offering some quick tips for getting started.
- The Benefits of Creating a Journaling Routine
- The Power of Journaling for Your Mental Health
- How to Start Journaling for Mental Health
Once you’ve decided journaling is for you, keeping your writing going will be key to getting the most benefit from your practice. If you get stuck or just want to broaden your thinking about what to write about, try looking around for inspiration. Here are a few articles on writing prompts to keep the ink flowing.
- Journaling Prompts To Boost Your Confidence
- 59 Journaling Prompts for Anxiety Help in 2024
- 150 Journaling Prompts for Self-Discovery
Reading for Self-Care
While you’re exploring journaling as a means of taking care of yourself, you might decide to see what others have to say on the topic of self-care. These collections of books on self-care are as close as your nearest library or book store.
- Best Self-Help Books to Guide You on the Road to Self-Care
- The 25 Best Self-Love Books You’ll Want to Read More Than Once
- 25 best mental health books to read in 2024
- Self-Help Books: Less Stigma, More Healing
Even if you’re not ready to dive into a new journaling practice or stack up your to-be-read pile with new self-care tomes, there are still benefits to any kind of reading. Check out these articles to learn more.