Benefits of journalling Our teenagers are more stressed than ever. In 2017 the Irish Examiner reported how two-thirds of teenagers described their mental health as average or poor. Social media, exams and the pressure to perform are leaving our young people worn out. Your school days are meant to be the best days of your life, but sadly for so many teens that’s simply not the case. I began to wonder, what we can do to help Generation Z (children born after 1995) enjoy this precious time in their lives?
It was something that myself and my sister Marie-Anne spoke about a lot. We started looking for some solutions. We knew we didn’t want another app or online tool. We wanted something away from social media. Something tangible. Something that would help our kids communicate better, feel less stressed and inspire creativity. One day, we had a eureka moment. Journalling. We both loved to journal and draw when we were younger. It was our safe haven. It was a place to explore our innermost thoughts, vent our frustration, get creative, or talk about who we fancied.
Our teenagers are always ‘on’ and constantly bombarded with information. Generation Z are spending up to 4 hours every day on their phones, being prompted with updates and consuming content. The majority of teenagers use social media to relax or de-stress. However, studies have shown that the longer we spend on social media, the unhappier we feel. Journalling takes our teenagers offline – even if only for a couple of minutes a day. It’s a safe place where there is no comparison or judgement. Nobody needs to ‘like’ what you put down to paper.
Journalling encourages a teen to immerse themselves in a single activity, like writing, making lists, drawing or doodling. Studies show that doing this can significantly reduce stress and increase productivity. A journal is a place for teens to become more mindful. It’s where we can explore life in the present moment, instead of feeling dragged in different directions by the currents of others – something that often happens online.
Today’s teenagers are never bored. Social Media, YouTube, Apps, Gaming, Netflix all see to that. In a world that is so noisy and distracting, it is often extremely difficult to listen to the voice within. Having that time is crucial. For connecting with yourself and what moves you. Journalling allows teenagers to unplug from the chaos and get to know themselves, to form their own opinions instead of relying on their peers, parents or a wider community.
It’s a place where your teenager can be completely honest, away from the glare of social media. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a blank page to inspire your teen to get creative. Personally, I’ve been amazed by my own daughter’s personal creations and ideas. And by how that makes her feel. It seems to take some weight off her shoulders and feel more at ease with herself in the world around her.
A friend of mine told me about the impact journalling had on her and her daughter. She was going through a tough time but simply couldn’t find the words to express herself to her parents. My friend gave her daughter a journal and asked her to write down how she was feeling. Then, if she felt comfortable she would leave the journal outside her room at night for her parents to read. It truly opened up the conversation in the family and turned everything around.
Remember journalling is not an assignment or homework – it’s fun! There are no rules or ‘right’ way to journal. Anything goes. And it’s private. It’s a tool your teen can use whenever way they want. |