If You're Journaling to Manage Your Anxiety or Depression, These Therapists' Tips Could Help

"Journaling can be used as a therapeutic exercise," psychotherapist Dr. Holly Sawyer, PhD, MS, LPC, NCC, CAADC, the owner of Life First Therapy, told POPSUGAR. "Therapeutically, it can be a great source to thought-dump unhealthy, anxious, or depressing beliefs."

Dr. Sawyer typically recommends writing down any negative thoughts you have around your anxiety or depression on one page. Then, on another page, write a list of positive thoughts that counteract the negative thoughts. She recommends this exercise because it allows you to slow down and "check the facts around your thinking." She advises following this prompt daily or returning to it whenever you feel anxious or depressed.