Q: What do you think of keeping a "stress journal"?

A: I've never tried a stress journal, but I'm sure it can be very helpful. I find that the thought of a journal sounds to me like extra work, which can be stressful

Journaling is a form of self-awareness, which is the basis of every improvement we can hope to make it our lives. 

Without awareness, there is no choice. Without choice, there is no change.

Journaling is always a way of "letting out" thoughts and feelings that perhaps shouldn't be shared with others. Once they're out, we can begin to "let go" of them.

The funny thing about stress caused by thinking, as opposed to stress caused by a predator trying to turn you into lunch, is that it's based on a faulty thought pattern. Once you identify the thought pattern, the stressful thought just lets go of you.

For example, "My boss should be more understanding of my family commitments." Just think that thought and you're already cranking up the stress hormones. Now paint a picture of your boss tellingg you that you'll have to change your vacation plans, and see what your body is doing. Going ballistic, possibly.

"My boss should…" or "My children shouldn't…" or "the world should", are all, in their way, crazy fantasies. As Byron Katie puts it, "When I argue with reality, I lose - but only 100% of the time."

Journaling - manifesting these crazy thoughts in ink and paper - can help us see these thoughts for what they are - fantasies, not hardboiled realities.