It enables you an outlet to process how you’re feeling rather than keeping it all bottled in
One of the worst things you can do for your mental health is to keep it all bottled in. This enables problems to escalate and worsen. In fact, studies have found that those who suppress their thoughts and feelings are more likely to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suffer from anxiety, and could be at risk of physical symptoms such as panic attacks too. With a blog, you can get those thoughts and feelings out on a page and it can almost feel like you are speaking to someone. By having it all out in the “open” it means you can process or let go of what it is that’s been bothering you and playing on your mind.
It’s a good distraction from your thoughts
Mental health can escalate when you are left to dwell on your thoughts. Things you are feeling anxious about can quickly build up in your head and you find yourself fixated on them. Blogging is a fantastic way to distract yourself and think of something different. You might choose to blog on your mental health, or you could choose to write about a topic you’re passionate about. Whichever you choose, it’s a great way to stop yourself focusing on negative thoughts and thinking about something else. By having an outlet to free your mind of negativity, you can have a respite from the feelings of anxiety you’re experiencing.
It opens up the discussion around mental health
If you choose to blog about your mental health it opens up the discussing to talk more about it. The greater number of conversations and blogs about mental health, the less the stigma behind it and the more support you can feel. Mental health can still be something you might find tricky to talk about, but if you have a blog you could show it to loved ones, share with strangers on forums or even take it to your therapist or a professional. This will help them understand more about the way you’re feeling and encourage conversation. In turn, this can help you on your healing journey.
You can become part of a supportive community
One of the good things about blogging is that you can connect with other likeminded individuals who are going through the same thing. It opens the doors for conversation and means you can make friends and connections with others that really understand what you’re experiencing. There are a host of blogging forums and pages where you can share your posts and instigate conversation. A big part of mental health is feeling like you’re alone. Blogging can show you that this is far from true and highlight that there are many others like you and who can help you.
It provides a safe space for you to explain how you feel
When you are suffering from your mental health, it can be difficult to open up to others about how you feel. You might worry that they won’t understand, they will overreact or that they won’t take you seriously. Yet with a blog, it provides you with a safe space to explain how you feel without fear of judgement or anyone elses opinion. You can just let out all your emotions and feelings and know that these words are for your own benefit. You can remain anonymous if you want to and don’t need to share your blog with anyone unless you want.
Being creative can release endorphins
Endorphins are known as the “happy hormone” and are what help to boost your mood. These can be released through things such as exercise, but also by being creativity. Being creative has a plethora of benefits to your mental health and blogging is a fantastic example of how you can really tap into your creative side. By using your imagination and self-expressng how you feel, you will release these happy hormones which can help to boost your mood.
It can help you to be more productive and self-disciplined in other areas
When your mental health is taking its toll, you may find your productivity and self discipline are waning. By having a dedicated focus on blogging, it can help to refocus your brain and may also make you more productive in other areas. You may have set times to do your blogging each day, or just a set routine for it and this can lead you to do things like tidy your space first or make a cup of tea and meditate to get you in a good mindset. These are all positive things that derive from your blogging.
What are some tips for blogging?
Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-working-in-home-office-4240505/
Remember why you’re doing it and don’t focus too much on the views
When you start a blog, it can be very easy to get bogged down on the views you are getting and what other people think. Try to keep in mind this is not the reason (or the main reason) that you are starting your blog and try not to get too bothered about it. Remember it’s an outlet for you release your emotions and feeling and is something cathartic for you to focus on rather than a numbers game. If you do decide to focus on views in the future, that’s absolutely fine too, but don’t let it turn your blogging journey into something stressful that strays from your original focus.
Try and dedicate an hour every day to blog
Blogging can work even better when you dedicate specific time to it. We recommend taking an hour every day to just write down your thoughts, feelings and ramblings, no matter how insignificant you might feel they are. This way your thoughts are never left to bottle up and build for too long and you can really enjoy the healing properties that blogging has. This hour could be at the same time every day, different times, or just whenever you can fit it in, it’s entirely up to you.
Share your blog in mental health forums and platforms
As mentioned above, there are a wide range of mental health platforms and spaces online where you can connect to other likeminded individuals. Take the time to find these and share your blog with others. You can then speak to people going through the same as you and your blog might help others who are afraid to speak up. You can create new connections, perhaps make some friends and know that you’re not alone in your battle against mental health. Try searching on Facebook or other social media forums for dedicated groups where you can speak to others, or join blogging groups if you want some help with the writing side of things and to ask for other people’s help.
Write about anything you want to
At the end of the day, your blog is your voice and nobody elses. It’s a way for you to let out your thoughts, feelings and whatever is on your mind. Remember that it is your safe space and a place for you to let our anything you’ve been bottling in. It’s for your benefit and solely that, so don’t allow yourself to compare your blog to anyone elses and always write about what you want.
Conclusion
Blogging is one of the best outlets for your mental health and is a fantastic way to help unscramble the thoughts that are going on in your head. Remember to always keep in mind why you started your blog and don’t put pressure on yourself. This is designed to be an outlet for you to help process your feelings, not something you necessarily want to do as a business and get millions of views from – although it might be your goal! Cut yourself some slack and allow yourself to just enjoy it and
