How to Keep a Health Journal

Journaling is a practice that has been in existence for a long time now. It is simply the practice of taking out time each day to write down pretty much anything like; plans for the day, events during the day, how you feel, or how you think someone else feels about you. Journaling is one really good way to exercise your mind, soul, and spirit.

The benefits of keeping a personal journal are numerous. First and foremost, a journal is highly personal because it’s where you get to say what you want and express how you really feel about any situation.  You can say it’s an effective outlet to let go of any stressful situation that may be bothering your mind. But beyond that Journaling can also be an effective way of making plans and keeping records of things that are important to you. For example, health records.

Keeping a health journal or diary helps you to keep track of any relevant information about the state of health in general, especially for someone going through some health challenges or suffering from any chronic health conditions. This is to enable them to monitor the progression of their condition, and keep track of medications, note the emergence of new symptoms, or note when there is an improvement or deterioration.

However, a perfectly healthy person may wish to make a health journal as well, just to keep tabs on their status and these may also serve as vital reference points in case of any health challenge in the future.

So what is a Health Journal?

A health journal or health diary is simply a record of your health. Information to be found within can include; a history of symptoms or illnesses, your medical records, a list of medications you’re taking, past, present, and future doctor appointments, reasons, and outcomes for the appointments, and a record of common triggers for any physical and mental conditions, your body vitals, your food habit, your workout progress, or anything else that is health-related and can be tracked. It can also contain details about your health goals, your plan to achieve them, and your proposed timelines.

And how do you go about journaling?

The first step is to get a journal or a diary. Once you have it, then you’re good to go. To start journaling, you only need to ask yourself some basics like; what thing happened during the day that you might want to take note of; who you spent your time with that day, and what you talked about, was there any information you came across today that struck you? Etc. And if you’re keeping a health journal then all of these questions should be health-related.

There is actually no “right” way to do it, you can adopt whatever style works for you. The key is simply to get started and find your rhythm in it; after some time it starts coming naturally to you. You would know what information to look out for in the day and how to write it down in your journal. Every once in a while, it makes sense to take some time out and review what you’ve written over the last month or two. You might be surprised at what you’ll find and this will eventually help you to take the steps to make the right adjustments moving forward.

Benefits of keeping a health Journal

One universal truth is that nothing is more important in life than our health. Keeping a health journal has so many advantages but just to point out a few of them here;

1. A health journal is a highly effective way of keeping track of your health. A health journal usually contains enough information which will be useful to your doctor in times when you’re not feeling too well.
2. A health journal prepares you for any health crisis that may arise in the future.
3. It’s a very good reference point as you can always look back on your records and make important discoveries.
4. It allows you to track if certain medications or lifestyle changes have worked for you or not.
5. It can help you track if you’re giving your body adequate nutrition.
6. It can allow you to notice patterns that may have otherwise escaped your notice.
7. It provides a healthy space to help you reflect on your health.
8. If you have any health goals in mind, a health journal helps you keep track of them and identify loopholes or triggers that may affect your commitment.
9. It helps you take control of your health.

How to keep a Health Journal?

1. Start by writing down basic health information about yourself
   Take down a few notes about your basic health information such as your birth date, body weight, height, blood group, genotype, allergies, past surgeries or treatments, past and present medications, etc.

2. Write about your family’s medical history
   Secondly, you should write down your family’s medical history. For example, if there is a history of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or any other physical or mental ailment, it should be noted down in your health journal.

3. Write down your medical appointments
   Record details about your doctor appointments, reasons for appointments, and the outcome of discussions with your doctors. You can also write about any prescriptions given as well as any positive or negative reactions that may occur due to the medication or treatment.

4. Record your diet
   You can also make a simple list of all the food that you eat every day in your journal. You can also decide to write down details about the quantity of the food, the frequency of eating and the exact times during the day you ate them.

5. Record your vitamins and supplements
   Write down your vitamin levels and any supplements that you’re taking. If you ever forget to take them, make sure you don’t forget to write them down.

6. Record your sleep
   You can take note of the time you went to sleep and the time you woke up as well as the quality of your sleep and if you feel rested or not.

7. Record your workouts
   Take a record of details about your workouts regularly and see if you are making progress with your workout goals. You can also take note of any other physical activities that you get involved with.

8. Record symptoms
   If you feel any symptoms of pain, allergies, mood changes, fatigue, skin changes or reactions, bad digestion, etc. take note of them and try to monitor events or situations that may trigger any of these symptoms.

Health journaling is an amazing self-care tool. Even if you’re a healthy person, keeping a health journal will help you keep track of your health status and quickly identify whenever something seems to be going wrong with your health. This can help nip that ailment in the bud before it becomes too late.

Good habits make a good life.

Keeping a health journal is one good habit that has numerous benefits and should be at least tried by everyone once.

With Love and gratitude as always, Xo!

For more useful tips and resources on the practice of journaling and its numerous useful applications, you can get a copy of my eBook. “How to Start from Zero” and discover more ways you can imbibe the practice of journaling and improve the quality of your life.

 “How to Start from Zero”. It will show you to focus on the positives and forget about the negatives. It will help you get into the best shape of your life by exposing you to so many ways to achieve all your health goals.

There are secrets and ideas shared in this eBook that are very practical, relatable, and realistic. This eBook will show you how to easily adopt healthy lifestyle habits and get rid of the bad ones quickly.

You can click the link below to get a copy of the e-book for yourself. 

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not your doctor while I am a health coach by profession. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor does it establish any kind of medical relationship between you and me. I will not be held liable for any damage resulting from or related to your use of this information.