Journaling is important for veterans after getting out of the military because it can help them cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of reintegration and recovery. Journaling can provide several benefits for veterans, such as:

• Helping them prioritize problems, goals and responsibilities**¹
• Tracking their symptoms, setbacks and successes** on a regular basis¹
• Helping them better recognize, understand and deal with triggers**¹
• Helping them identify negative or self-defeating thoughts and self-talk** so that they can challenge and reintegrate these internal messages using a more positive viewpoint¹
• Allowing them to express and let go of the feelings** involved in stressful, traumatic or emotional experiences²
• Providing an opportunity to construct a meaningful personal narrative** about what happened and how it affected them²
• Enhancing their immune system functioning** and reducing health problems²
• Reflecting on important life events** to give meaning to them and build a sense of personal identity³
• Recognizing themselves as the authors of their experiences** with a feeling of personal agency and optimism³
• Expressing gratitude** for the good things that happened and their impact⁴

Journaling can be done in different ways, such as expressive writing, autobiographical writing, visual journaling or gratitude journaling. Each method has its own advantages and can be tailored to the individual preferences and needs of the veterans. Journaling can be used as a stand-alone tool or as an adjunct to traditional psychotherapies. However, journaling may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with severe PTSD, low social support or high combat exposure⁵. Therefore, it is important to consult with a mental health professional before starting a journaling practice.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/1/2023

(1) Journaling as an Aid to Recovery - Recovery.org. https://recovery.org/pro/articles/journaling-as-an-aid-to-recovery/.

(2) Therapeutic Journaling - Whole Health Library - Veterans Affairs. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/therapeutic-journaling.asp.

(3) Therapeutic Journaling - Veterans Affairs. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/docs/Therapeutic-Journaling.pdf.

(4) Military Veteran Use of Visual Journaling During Recovery. https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/legislation-policy/naappd/military-veteran-use-of-visual-journaling-during-recovery.

(5) 5 Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health - PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/.