A Morning Writing Ritual to Reduce Anxiety

Adding a morning writing ritual to reduce anxiety before you begin your day can help you better deal with anxiety all day long. The way you begin your day can have a big impact on your mood throughout the day. Continue reading to see how writing every morning can help you reduce anxiety throughout your day.

How a Morning Writing Ritual Reduces Anxiety

While it is a simple concept and only takes around five minutes, a writing ritual to reduce anxiety can greatly impact how you feel during the rest of your day. Once I started writing regularly, I noticed that there were a lot of thoughts going on in my subconscious that needed to be worked through. Getting them all laid out on paper seems to help me tangibly work through them.

What to Keep In Mind During Your Writing Ritual to Reduce Anxiety

1. Write without judgment. This practice isn't about writing a beautifully crafted work of art. It works best when you write whatever comes to your mind without judgment. Some days, you may find you are feeling negative and write about that. That's okay, a lot of us feel crabby in the mornings, and there is no reason to judge the way you feel.
2. Write as long as you need to. For some reason, writing for a long time can be difficult for me. I have noticed that the first page is always the hardest. However, once I get all of the surface thoughts onto the paper, I find that it becomes easier for me to write. Usually, I write three to four pages in my journal. I use this time to work through everything and anything that comes to mind. It is usually a combination of my to-do list, worries, struggles, gratitude, and whatever else I am thinking about.
3. Write as soon as you wake up in the morning. I am not perfect with my ritual, and sometimes let the day get to me before I begin writing. It has helped me to begin my practice before I do anything else, though. On a good day, I will brew my coffee and immediately begin writing. I do this before I check my e-mails, write my to-do list, or turn on the TV. I have noticed that if I do this before I begin my day, I can get into the rest of my routine with a clean slate and a clear mind.

You can reduce anxiety by adding a morning writing ritual to your daily routine but it works best if you tailor it to your lifestyle. While I find it works best if I write before I do anything else, you may find that a midday writing ritual works best for you. There is no right way to add this tool in, so do what works best for you.