We all have moments when we wish our memory was a little sharper. But does keeping a journal help with memory? It turns out that a simple habit like journaling could be more powerful for your mind than you think.
I think most of us have kept a diary or a journal at some point in our lives, especially when we were kids or teenagers.
I’ve had a lot of them, not because I wrote in them all, but because I’ve always loved stationery. There was just something about having a fresh new diary that felt exciting, even though I never filled up the pages.
Back then, journaling was just a fun thing to do, but I never really thought about it beyond that.
I had no idea there were actual benefits of journaling for mental health until 2021, when my doctor suggested I should try it.
If this is your first time reading my blog, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia that year, and journaling was one of the things my doctor and therapist suggested to let go of any troubling thoughts, feelings, or stress I have in mind because stress is the main reason behind alleviated fibromyalgia pain.
But I could not continue with this practice for long as I wasn’t consistent enough. I picked it up again last year, and I think I’ve been fairly consistent with it since then.
Sometimes, I use a physical diary, but I generally use our Mindful Living Digital Planner, which my husband and I designed ourselves!.
Since then, I have come to realize that this is one of the most underrated habits.
So, does keeping a journal help with memory? Let’s find out in this blog.
We’ll also explore how journaling can help with studying and improve your memory and how to start journaling if you’re new to it.
5 Ways Keeping a Journal Helps With Memory
In the kind of hectic and fast-paced world we’re living in, where we’re constantly flooded with information from all around, things naturally slip through the cracks.
So, I’ll get straight to the point: Does Keeping A Journal Help With Memory? I’ve put together five ways journaling can improve memory so you can see exactly how this simple habit makes a difference.
1. Boosts Long-Term Memory
Writing things down by hand does something special to your brain. It makes your mind pay even more attention.
Since writing takes more time than just thinking or typing, your brain naturally slows down and processes the information more deeply.
This extra time helps your mind store those details in your long-term memory instead of letting them slip away.
Whether you’re jotting down what happened during the day or making notes while studying, putting your thoughts on paper helps your brain remember them better.
2. Journaling Engages Multiple Senses
Journaling isn’t just about thinking and writing, it also involves your other senses. When you put pen to paper, you’re engaging multiple senses at once.
You see the words forming, you feel the movement of your hand, and you hear the scratch of the pen (or the tap of your fingers if you’re typing).
All these little actions work together to reinforce what you’re writing and make it easier for your brain to store and recall the information later.
The more engaged your senses are, the easier it becomes to recall what you wrote.
3. Journaling Helps Organize Thoughts and Emotions
Journaling is like decluttering your mind. When you have a million thoughts and emotions swirling around, writing them down helps bring some order to the chaos.
You can spot patterns, connect ideas, and understand situations better.
And when your brain isn’t overloaded with a jumble of emotions and information, it has a much easier time storing and recalling what matters.
Simply put, journaling helps you think more clearly, and when your thoughts are clear, your memory works better too.
4. Journaling Reduces Emotional Overload and Improves Memory
When stress and anxiety take over, your brain can feel like a tangled mess, which makes it hard to focus or remember even simple things. That’s where journaling comes in.
Journaling helps you process your emotions by putting them into words instead of letting them build up in your mind. It actually signals the part of your brain that handles stress (the amygdala) to calm down.
And when your emotions are in check, your brain isn’t so overwhelmed, which makes it easier to think clearly and retain information. A relaxed mind remembers better, and journaling is a simple way to get there.
5. Journaling Enhances Mindfulness and Strengthens Memory
Journaling naturally slows you down and brings your attention to the present moment. Instead of letting your thoughts race in a hundred different directions, you’re taking the time to put them into words.
This practice of mindfulness helps quiet mental clutter, which makes it easier to focus. And when your mind is calm and present, your brain can absorb and retain information more effectively.
Are There Any Benefits To Keeping A Journal?
When I started journaling in 2021, I used to wonder, “Why is journaling good for mental health?”
I mean, it’s a no-brainer that I could write down my thoughts or vent about things that were bothering me, but is it something that potent that my doctor is suggesting me to do it?
Are there real benefits of journaling for mental health, or is it just one of those things people say works?
But over the past few years, as I learned more about journaling, I saw people share their experiences, how it helped them through tough times, how they used it as a form of self-therapy.
I decided I would also genuinely give it a try, and I’m so glad I did.
I’m saying this from experience, it is such a beautiful practice that helped me organize my days and my life and make sense of the thoughts and feelings I have on a daily basis.
I must tell you that it won’t make your bad or negative emotions or feelings go away completely, but it will take the edge away from them.
I hope you understand what I’m saying.
Some emotions and feelings keep bothering you the moment you wake up, sometimes even when you get up in the middle of the night to go the washroom or have water, and you suddenly remember those things again, and it makes you anxious then and there.
Journaling helps with that.
When we think about our feelings, we generally explore them from a very surface level and keep reliving the incidents that made us feel that way.
But when we write about them and try to make sense of why we’re feeling this way, we kind of understand the underlying reason, which makes it less overwhelming.
The Neuroscience Behind Journaling
Now, I’m not a doctor or a neuroscientist, so everything I’m about to say about the neuroscience behind journaling comes from what I’ve read and learned online.
But what I found was fascinating. Journaling doesn’t just help emotionally, it actually changes how your brain processes thoughts and feelings.
When you write, your brain activates multiple areas at once. One key part is Broca’s area, which helps you put emotions and thoughts into words.
This process alone can make overwhelming feelings feel a little bit more manageable.
I read a study where psychologist Matthew Lieberman found that journaling helps calm down the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing fear, stress, and anxiety, making intense emotions feel less overpowering.
This is why writing things down can feel like a release. It literally helps your brain regulate emotions.
Another interesting thing is how journaling affects memory. Writing by hand requires more mental effort than typing, which signals to your brain that the information is important.
This helps move details from short-term memory to long-term memory. This also backs up the pressing question of the hour: Does keeping a journal help with memory? The answer is yes!
And the way you write matters too. Using simple language works better than highly detailed descriptions, which can sometimes make emotions feel stronger instead of helping you process them.
Can Journaling Help with Studying?
If you’re a student and wondering, can journaling help with studying? Yes, it absolutely can.
When I was in school, I remember my parents telling me to write things down while studying because it would help me remember better.
Obviously, I didn’t question it at the time. I just did what they said. But after reading about the neuroscience behind journaling we talked about in the previous section, it all made sense.
Before my exams, my mom would buy me new notebooks and ask me to write everything I was learning. She would tell me that writing it down would help the information stick in my head for a longer time.
And honestly, she was right. Even though she hadn’t read any research, she knew from experience that writing helped with memory.
Now I understand why. When we write, our brain pays more attention to what we’re learning. It forces us to slow down and really process the information instead of just reading and forgetting.
That’s why so many people say that taking notes helps with studying.
Again, does keeping a journal help with memory? This is exactly how. Writing things down makes it easier to recall later.
So whether it’s making study notes, summarizing what you learned, or just practicing problems in a notebook, journaling is a great way to improve your studying.
Potential Disadvantages of Journaling
Journaling has its pros and cons, like everything else in this world. We always talk about how great it is, but I think it’s important to acknowledge the disadvantages of journaling too.
One common thing people complain about is that it takes up too much time. I totally get this.
As I told you, I started journaling seriously in 2021, and one of the reasons I wasn’t able to stay consistent with this practice was that I was trying to do it the “Instagram-worthy” way.
I spent too much time making my journal look neat, adding little details, and making it aesthetically pleasing. In the process, I lost sight of the real purpose: to simply write.
Another disadvantage of journaling is that it can bring up difficult emotions. Sometimes, writing forces you to confront past traumas, stressful experiences, or feelings you’d rather not think about.
While this can be healing in the long run, it’s not always easy in the moment.
Some people also find that journaling makes them too focused on their thoughts.
Writing things down can help process emotions, but if you’re spending too much time analyzing every little feeling, it can lead to overthinking or even rumination.
Instead of feeling better, you might find yourself stuck in your own thoughts.
That said, these downsides don’t outweigh the benefits it has to offer. Journaling has helped me in so many ways. Whether it’s organizing my thoughts, reducing stress, or even improving memory.
Related Blogs:
How To Start Journaling For Beginners?
Whether you’re just starting with this habit or trying to get back at it, let me share some simple steps that will help you get started.
1. Start with Morning Pages
One of the best ways to ease into journaling is by trying Morning Pages, a concept introduced by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way. She suggests that you write three pages in the morning about whatever comes to your mind.
I might suggest that you start with whatever you can. Don’t stress about writing three pages.
You can jot down your thoughts, things that happened, or even random observations. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
I also journal in the morning, and this habit helps in setting a positive tone for the day.
2. Pick a Journaling Style That Works for You
Journaling doesn’t have to follow a specific format. Some people like writing about their day, while others prefer making lists, tracking moods, or focusing on gratitude.
You can try different styles like bullet journaling, freewriting, or reflection prompts and see what feels natural for you.
If you want a structured digital journal that helps you plan and organize your days and months and track your health and well-being while helping you practice mindfulness and self-care, you can look at our Mindful Living Digital Planner as well.
Related Blog: What Are The Different Types of Journaling
3. Set a Time to Write
Like any habit, journaling works best when you make it part of your routine.
It could be in the morning to clear your mind, in the evening to reflect, or even during lunch as a quick mental reset.
There’s no perfect time. Just find what fits into your schedule.
4. Start Small and Be Consistent
You don’t have to write a full page every day. Start with a few sentences or even a single word that captures your mood. Just make sure you’re consistent with it.
Over time, you’ll find that even a little writing each day helps you process thoughts and emotions better.
5. Make It Personal
There are no rules in journaling, so you can use colors, doodles, or different writing styles if that makes it more enjoyable.
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar, it’s just for you. The most important thing is to make it a space where you can express yourself freely.
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Wrapping Up – Does Keeping A Journal Help With Memory?
Sometimes, my husband and I talk about how each of us is given a fixed amount of time on this beautiful planet, and that time gets a little shorter with every passing day.
If we think about it, how many days of our lives do we actually remember? What was I doing this day last year? Most of the time, I have no idea.
I know that not every day is extraordinary, but there are always little moments worth remembering, like things we felt, lessons we learned, certain events, and even the random thoughts that crossed our minds.
One of the things I love about journaling is that it’s like keeping a little memory book, something to look back on and relive the moments that mattered (and even the small ones that didn’t seem important at the time but now do).
In this blog, we’ve talked about the benefits of journaling, what happens to your brain when you journal, why journaling is good for mental health, the neuroscience behind journaling, can journaling help with studying, and even the disadvantages of journaling.
I hope it gave some insight into the questions: Does keeping a journal help with memory?
Or at least, some encouragement to think and research more in this direction. At the end of the day, our lives are our own responsibilities, and so are the decisions we make.
I think journaling is a wonderful way to remember things, understand your thoughts and feelings better, and process things in a healthier way.
But don’t just take my word for it. Try it yourself and see if it makes a difference, and let me know your thoughts.
I’d love to hear how journaling fits into your life! Namaste!
Related Blogs – Journaling
- What Is Journaling and What Are Its Benefits?
- How to Journal for Personal Growth and Self-improvement
- What Is a Manifestation Journal and How to Journal for Manifestation
- How to Start a Health and Wellness Journal
- How Can Journaling Boost Your Productivity
FAQs – Does Journaling Improve Memory?
Why is journaling good for mental health?
Journaling gives your thoughts a place to go instead of swirling around in your head. It helps you process emotions, untangle stress, and make sense of what’s bothering you.
When you put your thoughts on paper, they don’t feel as overwhelming.
What are the Benefits of journaling for anxiety?
Anxiety thrives on overthinking, and journaling helps break that cycle. Writing down your worries makes them feel more manageable and sometimes even less scary.
It’s a great way to track triggers, spot patterns, and challenge anxious thoughts. Plus, when you journal, your brain slows down, which naturally calms your nervous system.
As we discussed in the blog, the neuroscience behind journaling shows that it engages areas of the brain that help regulate emotions, making it an easy and low-effort tool for anxiety relief.
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