9 | Why Journaling Works: Science-Backed Benefits for Christians Seeking Peace and Clarity
Did you know journaling can actually rewire your brain? In this episode, we’re digging into the fascinating (but approachable!) neuroscience behind journaling—and how it supports your emotional, mental, and even spiritual health.
We’ll look at three key areas of the brain—the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—and how putting pen to paper helps each one work better together. Plus, you’ll learn why handwriting beats typing, and how journaling can help with stress, memory, emotional regulation, and hearing God more clearly.
Whether you’re a regular journaler or just curious, this episode will give you fresh motivation, biblical encouragement, and practical journaling tips backed by science.
Stick around to the end for simple prompts you can try this week! And if you want those prompts to be sent to your inbox weekly, sign up at the newsletter link below!
Hi, I'm Jenny Fulford! I love Jesus and I'm a guided journal creator. I'm here to help Christians cultivate a continuous, interactive relationship with God through journaling. Let's connect!
Your Next Steps:
- Step 1: Join a supportive community at the free Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AphQRnhiU/
- Step 2: Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get weekly journaling inspiration and prompts at laurentpaperco.com/newsletter
- Email me: hello@laurentpaperco.com
-
Instagram (DM me!): @jennyfulford @laurentpaperco
- Get a Journal: https://laurentpaperco.com/products/name-your-year-a-prayerful-word-of-the-year-companion-journal
Studies Mentioned in the Episode:
- Putting feelings into words: affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli - PubMed
- Frontiers | Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity: a high-density EEG study with implications for the classroom
- Pennebaker's Study on confronting trauma through expressive writing APA PsycNet
- The Cultivation of Pure Altruism via Gratitude: A Functional MRI Study of Change with Gratitude Practice - PubMed
- smyth_1998_-_written_emotional_expression.pdf