10 Practical Stress Relief Tips Through Writing

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 11 min read

3. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

5. Write a Positive Affirmation

6. Pen Your Own Peaceful Place

7. Compose Poetry or Song Lyrics

10. Write About Something You Love

Stress is a part of life we all grapple with, but did you know writing can be a powerful tool to keep it in check? If you're wondering how to improve writing for stress relief, you're in the right place. This blog will journey through ten practical tips that will not only help you manage stress but also sharpen your writing skills. So, let's dive right in and start exploring these stress-relieving writing practices.

1. Start a Journal

Starting a journal is an effective, time-tested method of managing stress. It's like having a personal therapist tucked away in your notebook. Here's how to make it work for you:

Choose Your Journal Type

You can opt for a traditional paper journal or digital journal. If you're a fan of pen and paper, a notebook can serve as your journal. If you prefer typing, various apps like Google Docs can be your digital journal.

Set a Routine

Make journaling part of your daily routine. It could be in the morning to set the tone for your day or at night as a way to unwind. Just ensure it's a time when you can focus on your thoughts without interruptions.

Write Freely

Don't worry about grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure. The goal is to express your thoughts and feelings, not create a literary masterpiece. Let your words flow freely—it's your safe space to explore your emotions.

Reflect and Respond

Once you've written your thoughts, take a moment to read them over. This reflection can offer you new perspectives and help you understand your feelings better.

Remember: the aim is to improve writing for stress relief, so there's no pressure to be perfect. As you continue this practice, you'll notice a decrease in your stress levels and an improvement in your writing skills.

2. Engage in Free Writing

You know that feeling when you just can't seem to get your thoughts out? Free writing is the answer. It's all about letting your thoughts flow without worrying about grammar or punctuation. Let's see how you can use this technique to relieve stress and improve your writing skills.

Set a Timer

Start small. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write non-stop until the time is up. You'll be surprised at how much you can write when you're not worrying about making it perfect.

Let Go of the Rules

Whether your sentences make sense or not, whether you've used the correct punctuation, none of it matters in free writing. The goal is to let your thoughts flow freely, completely uninhibited by rules. It's an excellent way to clear your mind and reduce stress.

Don’t Edit, Just Write

Resist the urge to go back and edit while free writing. Remember, this is your time to let your thoughts flow. Editing can wait until you're done writing. It's all about expressing yourself freely, without any judgement or fear of making errors.

Review and Reflect

Once you're done writing, take a moment to read over what you've written. This is a great way to gain insight into your thoughts and feelings, and you might even discover new ideas or solutions to problems you've been grappling with.

Remember: The objective here is learning how to improve writing for stress relief. As you practice free writing, you'll find that it not only helps you manage your stress but also improves your writing fluency and creativity.

3. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Ever wished you could travel in time? While it's not exactly a time machine, writing a letter to your future self can be the next best thing. It's a unique way to gain perspective, set goals, and express your hopes and fears. Plus, it's a great tool for stress relief. Here's how you can do it.

Choose a Future Date

Start by deciding when in the future you want your letter to be read. It could be a year from now, five years, or even ten. The choice is yours. This is the future 'you' you're writing to, after all.

Write about your current life—your feelings, challenges, achievements, dreams, and fears. Be honest and open. This is your chance to express yourself freely without judgement. It's like talking to a friend who knows you inside out.

Set Goals and Make Predictions

What do you want to achieve by the time you open this letter? Whether it's learning a new skill, climbing up the career ladder, or improving your health, write it down. Make some predictions about where you'll be in life when you read this letter.

Offer Advice

Write some words of wisdom for your future self. It could be advice on dealing with stress, staying positive, or simply reminding yourself to take a break and enjoy life. Remember, this letter is a time capsule of your present feelings and thoughts.

Pro Tip: Keep this letter in a safe place and set a reminder for the future date you've chosen. When the time comes, you'll have a deeply personal piece of your past to reflect on. This exercise not only gives you a unique way to track your growth and changes over time, but also serves as a powerful method on how to improve writing for stress relief.

4. Create a Gratitude List

If you're looking for a simple yet effective way to reduce stress, why not try writing a gratitude list? This technique is not just about acknowledging what's good in your life—it's also about recognizing and appreciating the small things that make your day. Here's how you can get started.

Start Small

Begin with writing down three things you're grateful for each day. It could be as simple as enjoying your morning coffee, hearing your favorite song on the radio, or the sun shining brightly outside. Remember, no item is too small to be thankful for.

Make It a Routine

Turn this into a daily habit. Maybe you can do this first thing in the morning to start your day on a positive note, or at night before bed as a way to end the day with a sense of peace and contentment. The key is consistency.

Go Beyond the Obvious

Once you get the hang of it, challenge yourself to find gratitude in the less obvious aspects of your life. This could include appreciating a challenge that helped you grow, or acknowledging the support system you have in your life.

Reflect and Revisit

Periodically review your gratitude list. Reflect on how your life has changed and how your perspectives have shifted. You might be surprised at how much positivity this practice brings into your life.

Pro Tip: A gratitude list is not just about feeling good—it's also a practical way to improve writing for stress relief. It helps you focus on the positive, enhances your mood, and gives you a sense of calm—a perfect recipe for a stress-free mind!

5. Write a Positive Affirmation

Ever thought about how to improve writing for stress relief? Here's a tip that may surprise you: writing positive affirmations. This technique is all about creating a positive mindset that can help reduce stress levels. Here's how you can make it work for you.

Understanding Positive Affirmations

A positive affirmation is a short, powerful statement that helps you to control your thoughts and develop a positive mindset. It's a gentle reminder to yourself that you have the strength, ability, and inner resources to handle whatever comes your way.

Write it Down

Start by writing down a positive affirmation that speaks to you. It could be something like "I am capable and strong," "I can handle whatever comes my way," or "I am in control of my happiness." Make sure it's in the present tense and that it speaks directly to you.

Repeat It

Your affirmation should be something you say to yourself daily. By repeating these words, you're not only reminding yourself of your capabilities, but you're also starting to believe it. Over time, these affirmations can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Change it Up

Don't be afraid to change your affirmation as your needs change. The goal is to have a positive statement that resonates with you and your current situation. This flexibility helps keep the practice relevant and effective.

Remember: The goal of writing positive affirmations is to reduce stress, not add to it. So, take it easy, work at your own pace, and most importantly, have fun with it! After all, this is a practical way to improve writing for stress relief, not a chore.

6. Pen Your Own Peaceful Place

Another creative way to improve writing for stress relief is to pen down your own peaceful place. This technique involves using the power of your imagination to transport yourself to a serene, stress-free zone. It's a simple yet effective method to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Here's how you can do it.

Visualize Your Peaceful Place

Close your eyes and imagine a place where you feel completely at peace. It could be a quiet beach, a cozy cabin in the woods, a flower-filled meadow, or even a favorite room in your home. The key is to choose a place where you feel safe and calm.

Get Writing

Once you've visualized your peaceful place, start writing about it. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings associated with your serene spot. The more vivid your description, the easier it will be to mentally transport yourself there during stressful times.

Revisit Your Peaceful Place

Whenever stress starts to creep in, take a few moments to read what you've written and imagine yourself in your peaceful place. This can help to reduce stress and foster a sense of tranquility.

As with any other technique, remember: the goal is to reduce stress, not create more. So don't stress about making your peaceful place perfect. It's your personal sanctuary, designed by you, for you. Enjoy the process of creating it and the serenity it brings to your life. This is, after all, a practical way on how to improve writing for stress relief.

7. Compose Poetry or Song Lyrics

Ever considered channeling your inner Shakespeare or Dylan to relieve stress? Composing poetry or song lyrics is a creative and therapeutic way to let go of stress. It allows you to express your feelings, emotions, and thoughts in a structured yet creative way. It's not just about rhyming words; it's about creating a piece of work that resonates with your emotions and feelings. Here's how you can get started.

Get Inspired

Think about something that inspires or moves you. It might be a beautiful sunset, a bustling city street, a person you admire, or a situation you faced. Use this inspiration as the foundation of your poem or song.

Express Your Feelings

Writing is all about expressing feelings. Don't be afraid to pour your heart out. Stress, anxiety, joy, love, sadness — whatever you're feeling, put it into words. Remember, you're not writing for an audience. You're writing for yourself.

Play with Words

Try to be as creative as you can with your words. Use metaphors, similes, and personification to bring your poem or song to life. But remember, there's no right or wrong way to write. It's your creation, and it's unique to you.

By composing poetry or song lyrics, not only do you get to improve your writing skills, but you also get to explore an effective method for stress relief. It's a win-win situation. So why not pick up a pen and start writing your way to a stress-free life?

8. Craft a Story

Let's dive into another exciting writing practice that can help you relieve stress — crafting a story. Creating your own characters, settings, and plots can be an exhilarating way to escape reality and pour out your emotions. Here are some tips on how you can start crafting your very own tale.

Pick a Genre

Think about what type of story you want to write. Is it a mystery, a romance, a sci-fi, or perhaps a fantasy? Picking a genre can give you a starting point and a direction for your story.

Create Interesting Characters

Characters are the heart of any story. Spend some time developing your characters. Give them names, backgrounds, habits, and personality traits. Make them as real as you can.

Develop a Plot

Now that you have your characters, it's time to put them into action. Develop a plot that is engaging and interesting. Remember, a good plot has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Start Writing

Now that you've got your genre, characters, and plot, it's time to start writing. Don't worry about making it perfect on the first go. The important thing is to let your thoughts flow and enjoy the process.

Remember, the goal isn't to become the next J.K. Rowling. The goal is to find a fun and creative outlet to relieve stress. And who knows? You might just discover a passion for storytelling along the way! So, why not give it a try and see how this can improve your writing for stress relief?

9. Describe Your Perfect Day

Who doesn't daydream about their perfect day? Well, you can use this natural inclination as a tool to reduce stress and improve your writing skills. Let's explore how you can take this simple daydream and turn it into a therapeutic writing practice.

Set the Stage

Start by visualizing your perfect day. Where are you? Who are you with? What's the weather like? The more details you can incorporate, the more vivid your writing will be. So, go ahead and paint a picture with words.

Outline the Events

What happens on your perfect day? Maybe you wake up early for a sunrise hike, have a leisurely breakfast at your favorite café, or spend the afternoon curled up with a good book. Whatever it is, list out the events of your day in order.

Involve Your Senses

As you're writing, remember to involve all your senses. Describe what you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. This will make your writing more engaging and help you immerse yourself in your perfect day.

Reflect on Your Feelings

Don't forget to express how you feel during your perfect day. Are you relaxed, happy, excited, or peaceful? Expressing these feelings can help you tap into a state of relaxation and happiness in your real life.

Describing your perfect day not only gives you a pleasant escape from reality but also lets you practice your descriptive writing skills. It's a great example of how to improve writing for stress relief. So, why not grab a pen and start describing your perfect day?

10. Write About Something You Love

One of the best ways to reduce stress and improve your writing is to write about something you love. Passion fuels creativity and can turn even the most mundane writing exercise into an enjoyable pastime. Here's how to get started:

Choose Your Topic

First things first, choose something you're passionate about. It could be your favorite hobby, a cherished memory, a beloved pet, or even a dream vacation destination. The sky's the limit!

Express Your Feelings

Once you've chosen your subject, it's time to express your feelings about it. Why do you love it so much? What makes it special to you? The more you can express your genuine feelings, the more engaging and authentic your writing will become.

Include Specific Details

When writing about something you love, be sure to include specific details. If you're writing about your pet, for example, don't just say they're cute—describe their soft fur, playful habits, or quirky personality traits. Specific details make your writing more engaging and help you connect with your readers on a deeper level.

Use Your Passion to Inspire Others

Lastly, use your passion as a tool to inspire others. Share anecdotes, lessons learned, or words of wisdom. Your passion can be a powerful force that inspires others and brings joy into their lives.

Writing about something you love is not just an effective strategy for stress relief—it's also a great way to improve your writing skills. So why not pick up your pen and start writing about your passions? You'll be surprised at how easily the words flow when you're writing about something you love.

If you're looking for a creative way to relieve stress through writing, check out the workshop called '10 Minute Poetry Challenge: THINK LESS, WRITE MORE!' by Alieu Drammeh. This workshop will help you unleash your creativity and find solace in writing poetry, providing a fun and therapeutic approach to stress relief.