Journaling for Mental and Physical Health in Postpartum

As the world shifts and changes in uncertain (and even scary) ways, it becomes even more critical to stay on top of your mental health and healing. One of the best ways to do this is through the act of journaling.

Journaling has powerful benefits, many of which have been scientifically linked to reducing stress, healing trauma, and supporting those who are experiencing unique or difficult changes.

Several studies, such as one done at Cambridge, showed that those who went through major stress or trauma found journaling to be both physically and psychologically healing.

Moreover, another study done in New Zealand linked journaling consistently for 3 days in a row for at least 20 minutes per day, to be related to significantly improved physical healing with major injuries.

Imagine what journaling could do for your mental and physical health if it became part of your daily rhythm!

When I took my certification in using art to heal during the prenatal period, evidence showed that writing about the art experience was one of the main reasons women had such transformational healing.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve witnessed this to be the main reason for such beautiful releases and immediate well-being after a session with me.

Where ever you are in the years postpartum, you are a part of a major demographic that’s experiencing constant change, uncertainty, and transformation.

The truth is, many experience these changes without support (which is why the rate of postpartum depression alone, not including other mental health challenges such as anxiety – account for one of every seven women).

Although the health implications of journaling are enough to get behind the pen, there are several amazing benefits to writing.

These include:

1. Stress reliever
2. Getting clarity
3. Releasing past and current emotions
4. Problem solving
5. Provides a calming ritual
6. Reducing fears
7. Tracks patterns
8. Documents your history

If you are a one-on-one client of my mine, I give you specific writing prompts and you know firsthand how powerful the act of journaling in postpartum is. Therefore, those specific writing prompts are intuitively designed just for you, which is why they are so therapeutic and healing.

Below, I’m including many of my favorite journal prompts to
support you in your mental and physical health in postpartum.

Get prepared and set yourself up for major healing by following a few important steps.

No matter if you are looking to heal from childbirth and get your body feeling a normal rhythm again, or you have a specific trauma or a burden you’re carrying, these are the steps to take to ensure that you reap the most out of your time journaling.

1. Get a journal that’s specific for writing about your postpartum journey and healing. This sets the intention for your work ahead and makes the experience that much more powerful.
2. Make space for quite time in your day, either morning or evening, where you can sit for at least 20 minutes and write uninterrupted. Make this time your MANDATORY time. Don’t feel guilty, wrong, or burdensome for asking your partner for support during these 20 minutes if you need to. This is your health and healing we are talking about here.
3. Spend that time writing as much as your heart desires. Write until you can’t anymore. And then write some more. You can use the prompts I give you below or freestyle and write on whatever you feel like in the moment.

And if you are ever wondering what to do with your spare
moments when you actually get them, journaling is it!

Finally, and without further ado, here’s a list of my favorite 30 journal prompts specific to supporting you in the years postpartum.

30 Best Journal Prompts for Mental and Physical Health in Postpartum

1. What memory about your current postpartum sticks
   out to you the most?
2. Who was the first visitors who came to see you
   and baby?
3. What was your initial reaction when you first
   saw your baby?
4. How can you make sleep a bigger priority in your
   life?
5. What’s the overall feeling of your birth
   experience? Is there still healing that needs to happen from that?
6. Do you feel supported in motherhood? If not,
   what can YOU do to change this?
7. What’s the best thing about raising your little
   one?
8. What’s the worst thing about raising children?
9. How do you feel about your body?
10. How can you express more love for your body?
11. What’s one thing you can do for yourself that
    will bring you the most joy?
12. How do you feel about going back to work /
    working at home as a mother?
13. How do you feel you’ve bonded with your baby?
14. How do you feel others view you in postpartum?
    Do you think that impacts you?
15. How has your relationship with your partner
    changed?
16. What do you need to communicate to your partner?
17. What’s the top 3 things you need to release to
    feel better about life?
18. What do you need to forgive about your
    birth/postpartum experience?
19. Do you need to allow yourself to mourn your
    previous life in order to move forward?
20. What are the top 3 things that you know for
    sure?
21. How are you REALLY feeling, right now, today, in
    this very moment?
22. What is your biggest fear?
23. What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a
    mother?
24. What do you feel is your biggest strength as a
    mother?
25. How has your relationship with your parent’s
    changed?
26. What would your ideal life as a mother look
    like?
27. What traditions and daily rhythms do you want to
    create for your family?
28. What is your top 3 goals for the year and what
    steps can you take to achieve them?
29. Do you feel you have a higher purpose? If so,
    what?
30. What big decision do you need to make in order
    to feel your best in life after having a baby?