**This is Part 6 of a 7 part series on Mind-Body Skills. Check out the introductory post here or follow along on my YouTube channel.
Whenever I ask a group of educators what they do to calm down or ease stress and anxiety, very few of them say they write or journal. These seem to be activities that people either love or hate.
For the people out there who love them, here are some great ways to incorporate writing into your de-escalation/stress relief/calm down routine. All of these activities can easily be used with kids at home or in the classroom as well.
- Ten Favorite… – Pick a category, any category, and write your 10 favorites. For instance, jot down your 10 favorite meals, your 10 favorite things about fall or your 10 favorite ways to spend a lazy day. This writing strategy serves as a great activity for distracting our brain from the stress/anxiety/anger/etc. we are feeling.
- Today, I Feel… – At the beginning or end of each day, write 1-2 sentences describing how you feel. How do you feel about the day ahead? How do you feel now that the day is behind you?
- Brain Dump – Are there any others out there who struggle to fall asleep at night because of all the thoughts jumbled up in your brain…the things you need to remember or do the next day? Put a little notebook next to your bed, and the next time those thoughts are keeping you awake, get them all out on paper. It doesn’t have to look pretty (sometimes I even do this in the dark!)…you just need to get all those thoughts out of your head. Once you’ve done so, give your brain permission to rest and go to sleep!
- Gratitude Journaling – Did you know that speaking your gratitude aloud actually makes you happier? Yep, it’s true! So write it down! Make a list, write it in paragraph form, whatever…just take a few minutes each day to focus on what you’re grateful for.
Are you a journal-er? What writing activities do you enjoy doing to de-stress?
akeducationalconsulting.com 