Harnessing Pain and Growth: The Power of a 'Pain Journal'
Harvard happiness expert, Arthur C. Brooks, suggests keeping a "pain journal" as a twist on the practice of journaling to foster happiness. The journal is used to track the lessons learned from painful experiences that have led to positive outcomes. The process involves briefly describing the painful experience and emotions, leaving space for reflection on what was learned and any subsequent positive developments. Research supports journaling for improved mental health, including increased clarity, problem-solving skills, and acceptance of one's experiences.