betterday journal
(Picture: Betterday)If you’re one of those people who, every January, says “this is going to be my year” — pledging to drink less wine and more water, exercise daily, read extensively, be mindful, practise self-care, increase sleep, reduce bitching but with no tangible plan as to how to do any, let alone all, of these things, chances are you’d benefit from a wellness journal.
Numerous studies show that journaling — regularly writing down our aspirations and feelings as well as recording our successes and failures — benefits our wellbeing in myriad ways including reduced depression.
“Journaling is a form of creative expression and acts as a powerful tool in helping to increase one’s self-esteem, build resilience, reduce stress and feel empowered,” says Martin Preston, founder and chief executive at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere.
“Writing a daily journal is an effective technique for coping with anxiety. It can help to process your thoughts and emotions, and reduce feelings of stress. When journaling, it’s wise to remind yourself why you are doing it, and that the diary is more than just a notebook. It is an emotionally supportive tool that does not judge or restrict you.”
Freddie Titcombe, Co-Founder of the Evolve Journal agrees. “The best thing about journaling in general is the low barrier to entry. All it takes is a pen, paper, and consistent routine to start a journey towards a better quality of life.”
Journaling as part of a self-care routine continues to gain popularity: #journaling is on almost 7m posts on Instagram while Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey took to Twitter to tell men to journal: “Dudes, get yourself a journal and pull the pen out”.
Meanwhile stationery brand Papier expects to see wellness journals sales increase by around 15 percent this new year.
While any form of journaling is therapeutic, dedicated wellness journals are specifically geared towards keeping both mental and physical health on track as well as optimising productivity. Typically, these aren’t just blank pages waiting to be filled. They might contain affirmations, prompts, questions, tick boxes and exercises.
From happiness logs to skincare diaries, we round up some of the most useful wellness journals.
1. Betterday Journal, £21.50
This (pictured above) is an upgraded version of the popular Betterday Journal which, as its name suggests, has feeling good at its heart.
A5 and hardback, this is a six-month journal with a simple daily structure that encourages gratitude above all else – where this leads, happiness follows.
Available in four colourways and with personalisation an option too, this makes you happy just looking at it.
2. Sachi States of Change AM/PM Journal, £23
Sachi is a skincare brand which believes in the power of mental wellbeing to promote and boost skin heath – stress causes all sorts of complexion issues - so it makes sense that they have created a journal dedicated to improving happiness.
It is a six-month guide – but undated - encouraging users to practise gratitude and mindfulness, every single day. A stylish A5 volume, it offers daily affirmations and uses prompt to help you address worries or concerns that might typically spiral into anxiety. It is really intuitive – the journal leads and you follow – so no need to worry about the horror of a blank page.
The only pressure is to be consistent with your journaling. This is the quickest way to only will you feel better, but look it, too.
3. Lovendu Wellbeing Journal, £20
Both cognitive behavioural worksheets and mindfulness activities are included in this cute A5 journal which has both guided sections with headings such as My mood today has been… as well as half a page blank for your own thoughts or comments.
There are 14 weeks’ worth of pages and the journal as a whole promises to take care of every aspect of your life, including the physical and social.
4. ESPA Wellbeing Journal, £22.50
This undated, 11-week journal from luxury lifestyle brand ESPA, is simple, chic and really straightforward to use. Each day spans a double page spread: the left is dedicated to the morning, the right is given over to the evening but there are questions to answer, boxes to fill in and even a water intake tracker.
5. The Evolve Journal, £24.99
Described as a tool which promises to make users feel happier, build positive relationships and improve their finances within six months, the Evolve Journal is a space to record thoughts, make plans and track habits – for just five minutes each day.
We especially like the daily ‘Eat the Frog’ section – an area dedicated to identifying the day’s least attractive task (and forcing yourself to complete it first).
“What makes the journal effective is that it is a reliable system through which people can maintain healthy habits, become more productive and practise gratitude,” says the journal’s co-founder, Freddie Titcombe. “All of these things combine to help you feel happier and healthier.”
6. Moleskine Wellness Journal, £26.99
Moleskine has long been lauded for its stellar stationery, so it’s no surprise that the 400-page Wellness Journal, part of the brand’s Passion Journals collection, is an absolute joy to behold and use.
It has Moleskine’s trademark rounded corners and elastic closure as well as high quality acid-free paper but it also has practical tips for greater wellness and stickers for you to customise your notes.
7. Papier Happy Stripes Wellness Journal, £26
The cover of Papier’s Wellness Journal is pretty pleasing (and other colourways are available), but it’s what’s on the inside is even better. Starting with a wellness map which does exactly as it describes: gives you directions.
This journal is dateless but contains space for 12-weeks’ worth of daily input which includes everything from noting down intentions to how much sleep you got. Stating goals is encouraged – as is considering and noting down the ways to reach them.
8. The Happiness Planner, £50
A spiral bound hardback available in three different colourways, this 12-month undated planner focuses on self-love and self-acceptance. The beginning of the journal contains a sort of questionnaire, a space to identify both worries and goals and thereafter users are treated to daily motivational quotes, as well as dedicated space to write ‘to do’ lists, track sleep, exercise and meals, and reflect.
There are also lots of extra bits and bobs that aim to help with wellbeing including a self-love ‘roadmap’ booklet, affirmation cards and worksheets.
