Use Gratitude Journal to Help Your Mood

Because of the pandemic, the media's panic-inducing headlines and the lack of in-person social connections, the number of mental health cases has already increased and is expected to jump even more. Students are feeling the pressures. They are not able to learn they way they like. For example, my daughter does better in a classroom setting than with online classes. My son is just the opposite. He thrives in online classes. Writers, who usually work from home, worked alone before the pandemic, but now, so many of them are afraid to leave their personal space. This can lead to panic attacks, stress, anxiety and depression. They will begin to doubt their abilities in writing and editing their books. Here are some ways to address mental health issues.

1. Write as Therapy – I have discussed this previously. If you have emotions, you would want to get it on paper or on the computer. I always use writing a therapy when I am sad or lonely or joyous. I write poems, stories and novels. My first novel, The 1776 Scroll of Secrets, happened because I was lonely in Arizona. My main character absorbed the loneliness I was feeling. Writing as therapy is a strong way to let your feelings be released. Bottling up feelings can lead to other problems, such as mental disorders, eating disorders and health issues.
2. Use a Gratitude Journal – Many writers use a journal to help them write their stories, fiction and nonfiction. However, a gratitude journal is slightly different. This is a journal where you write down in a book why you are thankful for that day. Most people write in them at night. This type of journal improves your mood and keeps you from having depression because you are literally counting your blessings before you go to sleep. You can't be depressed when you have so many blessings. For example, writers would be thankful that God gave them a talent to write. I always Thank God for my husband and children even though they give me challenges. I thank God for the ability to write and the money I receive from writing. When you use a gratitude journal, you might be thankful for inspiration in nature or the pandemic. Yes, the pandemic could be good for people too. Some companies are thriving in this situation. As writers, you could use the pandemic to create plots or characters. You could use the pandemic for nonfiction works too.
3. Exercise – Just because we are staying at home doesn't mean you need to stop exercising. You could subscribe to a streaming service that offers exercise programs instead of going to the gym. You could walk your neighborhood without coming in contact with others. You could rent videos or buy them and exercise at home. Exercising is good for your mental health and your physical health. It would help you break writer's block or give you inspiration to write. It is important to find a way to keep physically fit.
4. Choose Better Foods – I am from the North. In the winter, eating sugary and fatty foods becomes a habit when you are stuck indoors due to cold or snow. This pandemic has moved that three-month limit to an all-year problem. I have found myself eating more of the wrong foods because I don't have options of doing something. On the other hand, I also haven't been going to fast food places as often either. However, many foods are tied to depression, anxiety and poor health. If you want to improve your mood, you should choose healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, good fats, and whole grains. You also want to make sure you are eating and not skipping meals. To be a better writer, you need to eat a better diet.
5. Do Video Marketing – If you go on camera, you might be at home, but you think you are talking to an audience. You could add to your YouTube channel regularly and use those videos to market your book. You also can use the book to market the videos. Regardless, when you are in front of a camera regularly, you have to smile a lot. If you are smiling a lot, you can't be depressed. Talking to the camera also might be like talking to a friend or psychologist.

Don't become a statistic as another mental health case. Find a way to change your mood and get back to writing your masterpiece.