A Mental Musing: Benefits and Tips to Journaling (Guest Blog)

Journaling does wonders for me in a variety of ways. And I wish I'd devoted more time to it when I was younger. This week, I’m sharing a great article from a fellow blog. Yes, it’s geared toward students, but aren’t we all students in this crazy study of life? 

Thank you, Psychology Writing, for sharing your wisdom and tips! 

Be well. 💜

~Aspen

HomeBlog How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students

How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students

Author

PsychologyWriting

Dec 12th, 2022

8min read

When was the last time you wrote in your journal? Many people associate keeping a journal with their childhood and the old-fashioned cliche “Dear Diary…”. However, modern research has shown that journaling has numerous benefits for your mental and physical health. Writing in a diary can:

• lower your anxiety,

• improve your memory,

• boost your immune system.

If you happen to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or dissatisfied with your life, this is your sign that you need to start journaling now. In this article, we’ll discuss how journaling can be good for you — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Psychology Writing experts have also prepared some inspirational ideas for your mental health journal to overcome the fear of a blank page.

What Is a Mental Health Journal?

Mental health journaling is the act of keeping a record of your feelings, thoughts, insights, ideas, and more.

Your mental health journal may exist in many forms. It can be kept on paper or your computer, written or drawn. The idea behind the whole process is to make your thoughts clearer by getting them out.

Why Keep a Mental Health Journal?

For some people journaling can be challenging especially as building new habits takes time and effort. However, a mental health journal can help you in many ways.

Continue reading: How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this week's Guest Blog.

Next week, I'll be back with something fresh and new.

~Aspen ✌️

A Book Musing: A Court of Thorns and Roses

The fiction is coming along but not fast enough. 😉 Check out the latest from my A Musing nonfictional shorts collection. 📚

A Book Musing: A Court of Thorns and Roses

By Sarah Maas

This book has been on my list for a very long time. My 5th graders recommended it, and I haven’t taught 5th grade since 2015. That being said, I hate paying full price for a book and will rarely do so. Funny enough, the books I want to read always find their way to me. Most recently, the Kindle version of this book went on sale, and I had digital points. FREE. Thank you. 

But much more importantly: I. Could. Not. Wait. 

Snug in my jammies on the couch with my dog, and I was ready to begin my journey. Yippie!

Meet Feyre, a strong huntress (human) singlehandedly taking care of her family. Well, that’s not sustainable, but it works as a hook. 

After killing a faerie on the human side of the wall, our heroine is to be the captive of an ancient immortal (faerie) for the remainder of her days in the faerie lands. A horrid place she only knows by legend.

Sigh. 

A faerie and fantasy story. Not at all what I wanted. 

At this point, I should probably explain that I didn’t even know what this book was about. Yes, it’s been on my reading list for YEARS, and I didn’t know what it was about. I knew it had a grade level of 11/12-year-old children chattering about it. And I knew it was (and still is) a wildly popular New York Times bestseller. The aspiring author in me has always wanted to know what Sarah Maas could do. And there was no way I was stopping now.

So I read on. The pages turned slowly at first, but it wasn’t long into the story that I began to really like Feyre. At first, I thought she was self-sacrificing, insolent, and hard-headed (and she was), but she was also wildly intelligent and fearless (redeemable qualities).

While in the faerie land, she was treated with kindness and respect. Once she realized her captor, Tamlin is a High Fae, and not at all the monster of legends (even if he was an actual immortal beast), she softened. Soon her anger and hostility toward Tamlin ignited into a fiery passion. 

Cue the love story.

I thought it might stall here. Not at all. 

Before long, this fairytale takes a much darker turn for all involved. Suddenly, there was much more at stake than a human girl and her short life.

I would tell you, but I don't want to ruin it. I can tell you this was where Maas got me, and I was hooked! Suddenly, I was unable to put the book down, reading late into the night. And that WAS what I was looking for. Yippie!

From that point on, Maas dazzled the reader (me) with magnificent imagery and a host of lively characters who truly brought a suspenseful, gripping, climactic storyline to life. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story absolutely lived up to the hype. A tremendous five-star read. 

I can’t wait to cross paths with the next one!

A Health Musing: Movement is Medicine

 And now for a nonfiction short…

📷credit: Thank you, Leonardo da Vinci and Pixabay Vector

Movement is Medicine

It was the late 80s, and I remember our two-story house as clear as day. Smack in the kitchen was a round yellow table. It was built into the home and attached to a desk and storage area. It was around that table everything changed. 

One day Dad came home from seeing a doctor, and life took a sharp turn down 2104 Healthy Ave. Suddenly dinners went from beef or pork to chicken, fish, and turkey burgers (they are NOT the same as beef burgers, especially for children under ten). All proteins went on the grill. It didn’t matter there was a -10 degree windchill; the grill was fired up and ready to cook healthy. We ripped out a large window, put in French doors, and extended the deck. To grill. To be healthy.

Breakfast shifted to a high-fiber cereal piled with wheat germ and then drowned in powdered milk (long before today’s vast choices of non-dairy). Thank goodness my brother and I didn’t have to endure the breakfast aspect of good health.  

And then, we cue the exercise. Yep, plop a loud whirling exercise bike in the living room. My Dad would ride that bike every night after work for at least 30 minutes. 

I didn’t understand it at the time and thought he was just a weird grown-up, but that was when he started taking his health very seriously. That was his precipice, and he jumped headlong into a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. In his 40s.  

Flash forward to today, in the second decade of the next century. Dad turned 84 at the beginning of 2023. He was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the summer of 2021. 

Wait, I thought this was about health? Keep reading.

Parkinson’s is not a one size fits all shoe. In fact, it’s uniquely designed for each individual. Symptoms and experiences can be vastly different for every person who has it. This can make it more complicated to treat.

The majority of folks get a diagnosis in their 50s or 60s. Of course, it has been known to show up in those younger (30s-40s). What’s not so common is a diagnosis in your 80s. 

Dad’s diagnosis came much later than average, and his symptoms are on the milder side (thank the heavens). Why? His neurologist believes his choice to live a healthier life and exercise regularly staved off the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. 

Take a moment to reread that: His neurologist believes his movement/exercise/healthy habits staved off the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. 

Movement. Getting up. Exercising. My Dad didn’t run triathlons or enter the UFC ring. He got on an exercise bike for 30 minutes a day and lifted light weights. He also made better food choices and chose to actively live his life: traveling, learning, and enjoying entertainment.

At this point,  he is responding well to medications and needs moderate amounts of artificial dopamine, which is fantastic. And he still moves EVERY day. We are all very lucky he made himself and his health a priority all those years ago.

So why share this? To celebrate Dad. Duh.

But also to acknowledge the truth: We only get one body/mind combo. If we treat it right now, it WILL function better later. Movement is a key factor in that equation. 

One last thought: You know, when we’re kids, we think our parents have it all figured out, but once we become adults, we realize how little they knew. They were just figuring it all out as they went along, too, like we are NOW.  

My Gen X folks…this is us… my kind, handsome Dad was our age when he decided to make changes. Changes that likely gave him 20 years… twenty extra years. GOOD years with grandchildren and family and travel and friends and laughter.  

The final bottom line is: Movement is medicine. Get up.

The End

A Tongue-in-Cheek Musing: Finger Politics

 And now for something completely different…

*I will warn you this is a VERY tongue-in-cheek problem-solving tactic. If you lack a sense of humor and/or have no appreciation for imagination riddled with dark twistedness, this is probably NOT for you. 

📷 Credit: stokpic from Pixabay

Finger Politics

What’s the best thing about the 21st century? 

“Political ads come right to your phone. No need to drive or get the mail or turn on a TV; those toxic messages are delivered DIRECTLY to me. Best thing ever.” 

I hope that was read with sarcasm, an eye roll, or at least a scoff. 

With the constant barrage of spam to my phone, I started thinking about all that goes into election propaganda… the massive quantities of time, money, and energy. Then there’s the side effect of toxic disruptions and interruptions from every media outlet, trash from signs, flyers, mailers, etc… and now direct delivery? I’ll insert my own eye roll!  

Seriously though, being a compassionate solutions-minded human, I’ve got to wonder if it wouldn’t be better to channel that immense force into something more positive, like ending homelessness, investing in mental wellness, cleaning up cities, reinvesting and refining old and dilapidated infrastructures, positively impacting education (psst...replace the political figureheads with good quality educational leaders at the helm, and the system will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong.).

I digress.

ANYWAY, how do we clean up the political propaganda? Finger Politics 

This idea originated in 2018. On the way to work, I’d pull out onto Tropicana and there was nothing but a sea of political signs. Every corner was littered with faces and slogans. Every f#cking corner. As if a morning commute isn’t bad enough (*insert eye roll*). Now that elections are looming in 2022, and spam is blowing up my phone, I’ve decided to revisit an old idea.

What is Finger Politics? Each candidate…at every level…in any capacity…pledges to stand behind and back TEN issues/policies throughout their term. Every time they actively go against anything they pledged to do, they get a finger cut off. 

For example, I’m an elected official, and one of my campaign promises was to increase funding for public education, but then I voted against it, or I did anything to intentionally stand in the way of getting funding for public education; I would lose a finger. However, if I voted to increase funding and it still didn’t pass, I’d get to keep my finger. It’s not about always finding success; it’s about following through with what I promised my constituents I would do. 

Plus, with glaring truths at our fingertips (pun intended), there would be no need for dramatic, over-the-top smear campaigns. All ads would be in the same format: a picture of the candidates’ faces with fingers held high and all their pertinent information on the bottom: 

Dale Smith, 7 fingers, 4 years in office

Paula Doe, 3 fingers, 8 years in office

Stephanie Nobody, 9 fingers, 15 years in office

On the back of their face/finger card, every candidate would have the opportunity to explain the finger loss(es) and/or tout any accomplishments, like how they kept their current fingers.

One card. That’s it. Think of all the money and time saved. Plus, all the waste that’s not wasted! Not only does it clean up a literal mess of papers and trash, but there is also a bit of accountability tucked in there. 

Finger Politics may seem a bit harsh and unconventional, but it should only be worrisome for those who lie. An honest person would have nothing to worry about. And it really could be a highly effective way to streamline the overwhelming mayhem of intrusive monstrosities that have become political propaganda. Besides, aren’t we all a bit tired of the dishonest, corrupt mess politics has become?

In conclusion, Finger Politics has many benefits: Less trash in landfills. No more phone spam. No more signage on the roads. No more flyers in mailboxes. No more ads on the TV. No more toxic rhetoric. PLUS, an added element of accountability.

As an added bonus, there would be less need to pursue term limits. Once you’re out of fingers, you’re out. After all, it’s Finger Politics. Not Nub Politics. 

Want to keep your fingers? Say what you mean and mean what you say. 

Finger Politics could be a simple solution to growing and unnecessary problems. 

An Honorable Mention

I am thrilled to have earned an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest for my story A Deception, a short little tale about a god, a siren, and an entrance to the Underworld.

A sneak peek at the opening below. Stay tuned as I share more over the next few weeks.

A Deception

“Come on, old friend,” said Hades, looking entirely out of place drinking a margarita at the Tiki Hut on a beach in the Florida Keys. He stroked his beard, pulled down his sunglasses, and met Janus’ gaze, “Look, man, you know I wouldn’t ask, but things up here are a bit out of control, and it’s radically affecting the systematic way I run things downstairs. I should have most of it sorted out in a month or two, but I only need you guys to guard the Entrance to the Underworld for six weeks. Tops. Plus, Naribelle,” he glanced at the voluptuous beauty sunning herself oceanside, “she’s a natural. Six weeks is all I need…promise…”

To Be Continued

Lessons From My Dog

And now for 'a little something different'... 

Lessons From My Dog

Do you have one of those smug all-knowing dogs? Well, I kinda do. His name is Mulligan. He’s 12 and VERY wise, but he has more of a super chill vibe about him.  

In fact, he is the epitome of fantasticness and quite possibly the SWEETEST soul I’ve ever known. I like to think I’ve gleaned just a smidgen of his wisdom in our time together. Here’s the short list of things I’ve learned (in no particular order). 

1. Water is good for the soul. Get to it. Hang out around it. Find time to frolic and swim. 

2. Adventures start with getting in the truck. Anytime you’re on an adventure, you should stop for ice cream. 

3. Every time you step outside, pause and take a moment to delight in whatever you may find…sunshine, rain, snow, wind, hellish humidity, slicing cold… embrace it all. For a moment. 

4. Growing old is a bitch. Patience and willingness to adapt are essential to continuing to do the things you love. 

5. Always greet others in a friendly manner…a gentle nod, a slight smile, a quick kiss, a little sniff, or nose to the crotch (the last one is all him).

6. Fears (thunderstorms, fireworks, stairs…whatever they may be) are legitimate and real. One may not like them, but one can survive them.

7. Naps are a thing of beauty. Nap often. Nap hard.

8. Make the time to wander, smell the flowers and take the scenic route. The road less traveled is always better. 

9. Find joy whenever and wherever you can.

10. Old dogs can (and do) learn new tricks. All the time. No matter their age.

My Mulligan (aka…SWEETNESS, Sweets, Snuggie Buggies, McHandsomepants, Snugglies) lives life as a precious gift, a present. He amazes me every day. I’m honored to be his Lady. ☺️

And in case, you’ve never noticed god is dog spelled backward. Just sayin’.  😉🤷‍♀️🐾

Snippet Saturday: A Girl and Death

As a writer, I want to make the reader feel...

Check out this excerpt from... Ruby Hood, A Twistedly True Tale... the retelling of a classic fairy tale that takes a completely different path over the river and through the Wood...

Everything around her trembled, and then froze. People and trees stood still. The gray eyed raven stiffened in mid-air. There wasn’t even the slightest gust of breeze, leaving Ruby alone with a dying Kellan in her arms. Time had stopped. How had this happened? She shuddered slightly, and her chest heaved. A roulette of emotions spun inside her, and at the root of all of them, was one truth. She loved him.