Psychologists have discovered that the average person has more than 6,000 thoughts per day. With all that information constantly circulating through our brains, where does it all go? Do we keep it bottled inside or do we release our inner emotions and feelings to the outside world? Finding a healthy outlet for our thoughts and impulses is how to keep a well-balanced life.
Physically talking to someone about what is going on in your life, whether good or bad, is not easy for everyone. Certain people find it extremely difficult to seek the help they need or simply hold a conversation about themselves. Humans experience a range of emotions every day, and sometimes it can be hard to manage. When things begin to build up in my life, I tend to feel overwhelmed, and this takes away from my focus and prevents me from being productive. To handle these situations, having someone to turn to can be extremely helpful.
Recently I have begun journaling as a valuable outlet for releasing my inner thoughts. This way I have an uninterrupted stream of consciousness that is completely free from judgment. I can write down exactly how I feel about everything that crosses my mind. It also helps me formulate my thoughts and make sense of my life. If I feel as though I have no one to talk to, journaling is the first thing I will lean towards. It allows me to ground myself and lay out my problems in a physical manner. When I am feeling down or uninspired, I will go back and read what I have written in the past during a time when I was feeling uplifted or joyful. It is a great tool for efficient self-reflection. Journaling also provides a place for me to hold valuable memories that I can remember forever. When something happens in my life that makes me feel strong emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, or joy, I want to write down exactly how I was feeling and what it meant to me at the time. This provides me with a physical copy of different life experiences that I can read back on whenever I want. These written pages also allow me to appreciate my life more and realize that time is truly fleeting.
If writing doesn’t feel right for you, there are other endless ways you can express your feelings in a healthy and effective manner. Find something you are passionate about or love to do and put all your energy into it. When you are feeling angry or upset, go for a jog around your block to get your heart rate up. If you are feeling stressed out, find a nature hike to remind yourself that life goes on and there is an entire world beyond yours. If you’ve been stuck on the same task for hours, play your guitar, paint something or listen to music. Find something that feels right for you and put your genuine creative skills into it. When you feel as though the entire world has turned against you, use your passions to make something amazing.
Finding someone to talk to isn’t always easy and available, so finding an outlet that allows you to release your negative energy is extremely vital. There are no limitations to what you can utilize to make yourself feel better if it helps you move forward in life. By journaling, learning a new hobby, or just talking about my problems, I can release whatever is on my mind and ultimately reach a better sense of clarity.
If you are struggling with mental health problems, please check out SFU’s Health and Counselling page or dial 310-6789 for 24/7 mental health support.
