Did you know that journalling is a proven form of mental health therapy?

There’s actually lots of benefits and you can read up on many of those here. Below’s a summary of five benefits of journalling.

• Effective treatment for anxiety.
• Reduces symptoms of depression.
• Helps with stress management.
• Facilitates a space to step back and reflect.
• Expressive writing helps with recovery.

At Spark, journalling forms a central part on how our users can help themselves with their mental health. Below are six simple steps you can take to be up-and-running – or in our case, up-and-journalling!

If you’re logging on to the app for the first time in the day, you’ll see a nice little reminder asking you to Post something.

Alternatively, if you’re a seasoned “journalist”, you need not wait for a prompt. Simply tap the plus sign and journal away.

Let Spark know how you’re feeling (this will be useful for you and explained in another How To) before and after you write your journal post.

Express what you’re thinking in your journal – it can be a reflection on something from the past, something you’re hoping to do in the future or anything else on your mind right now.

If you need some inspiration, here’s some ideas for what to journal taken from this site.

• What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
• Have you ever been in love? How do you know?
• What is the hardest truth you’ve ever learned?
• What is your greatest dream in life?
• Does history repeat itself? Why or why not?
• Make up an alter ego for yourself. Give him or her a name, and then describe his or her qualities, looks, etc.
• If you could invent one thing to make your life easier, what would it be?
• Who is your hero? What do you admire about him or her?
• What is the greatest lesson you’ve ever learned?
• Do you prefer to donate time or money to those in need? Why?
• Do you find it difficult to make new friends? Why or why not?
• What is the best day of the year? Why is it so special to you?
• What does your dream house look like? Describe it in detail.
• Do you remember much of your past? Why do you think that is?
• What is the greatest gift you could ever receive? What would make it so special?
• How would you describe yourself to someone who had never met you? Write your description as though you were a character in a book or a movie.
• Do you regularly remember your dreams? Write about your most vividly remembered dream.
• Write about your most cherished memory of all time.
• What does it mean to be a good friend? What type of friend are you?
• Do you think of yourself as a cool person or a warm person? Why?
• What is the most interesting thing about you? Why? Is it a trait you share with other people, or is it something that is unique to you?
• What is the greatest mistake you’ve ever made?
• If you could visit one destination in space, what would it be? Why?
• How old were you when you first knew what you wanted to do with your life? How did that feeling evolve over time?
• What is your greatest fear? Do you think it is realistic or not? Why?
• Write about a time when you learned something new about yourself.
• What is your most deeply held belief?
• If you could have any one question answered, what would it be? Who could answer it for you?
• Do you think you would like to be a parent? Why or why not?
• Write about a time when you felt pure joy.
• Write about a time when you made something up as you went along.
• If you were to have a mantra, what would it be? When would you use it?

Select an image you feel represents your thoughts.

Last but not least, choose a suitable tag for your post.

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