productivity

Will you also start journaling in 2026? – How I finally found the right formula!

Dirk VerburgLeave a comment

Over the years, I made multiple attempts to start journaling. All failed…until I radically changed my approach.

The benefits of journaling

It is well known that journaling can have a positive impact on multiple levels. According to Karen A. Baikie & Kay Wilhelm, ‘expressive writing’ has a number of positive mental and physical health outcomes, ranging from a better-functioning immune system, reduced blood pressure, and improved liver function, to improved working memory, better sporting performance, and a feeling of greater psychological well-being. 

Some scientists even claim that the development of a drug that would result in medium effect sizes comparable to that of expressive writing ‘would be regarded as a major medical advance’.

The reasons why I wanted to start journaling were that I believe in the concept of solving issues and processing experiences through writing about them, and the fact that I enjoy writing.

Failed attempts

Despite periods of several months in my life where I consistently journaled, I did not stick with it. The reasons were twofold.

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Resilience training is not enough to combat stress in the workplace

Dirk VerburgLeave a comment

For those who have never experienced it firsthand, or witnessed it from nearby, scientific research has shown that work can be a considerable source of stress. 

This stress can manifest itself in the form of emotions (e.g. anxiety and depression), cognitive performance (e.g. in decision-making), negative behaviors (e.g. unhealthy eating habits, alcohol and drug abuse, aggression), and physical symptoms (e.g. high blood pressure, neck-, head- and shoulder pain).

Not only does stress have a negative impact on individual employees, absenteeism and low engagement for instance can seriously impact the performance of their organizations as well.

Resilience training

The popularity of resilience training in the workplace has dramatically increased in the last couple of years (particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), and there is evidence that, if done in the right format, this training can help individuals in certain target groups to deal with stress.

Positioning

The problem is that resilience training is almost always only a part of the solution, and that is almost meaningless if offered in isolation to mitigate work-related stress. 

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