Co-authored by Lea Nguyen and Amy Vigliotti

Journaling is often recommended as a tool for self-reflection, emotional processing, and stress relief. But when you journal can matter just as much as how you journal, especially if you struggle with anxiety, rumination, or feeling mentally and emotionally overloaded.

Nighttime journaling can be helpful for reflection and integration, but when unresolved emotional material is involved, a ritual meant for rest and relaxation can unintentionally activate thinking or increase alertness. Morning journaling, by contrast, works with your circadian rhythm rather than against it.

Cortisol, our primary stress hormone, naturally rises in the morning to boost alertness, and journaling allows you to leverage this window for mental clarity. For some, this natural surge in cortisol can also intensify anxious symptoms, making journaling a useful way to externalize thoughts and worries. Because rumination thrives on repetition and........

© Psychology Today