Somatic Journaling Will Change How You Heal
You know that feeling when something’s off, but you can’t quite explain it? You’re not “sick,” but you’re not thriving. Maybe your shoulders are tense, your stomach is in knots, or your energy crashes every afternoon. That’s your body trying to get your attention. Fortunately, you already have the tools to listen. Welcome to somatic journaling, a practice that helps you connect the dots between what your body feels and what your soul needs. Feeling better starts with feeling. Unlike traditional journaling, which often lives in your head (think thoughts, plans, overthinking), somatic journaling takes you deeper. It allows you to tune in to your body, where your emotions, energy, and stress are stored. Those tight hips? That shallow breath? They’re clues. Somatic journaling is your chance to decode them. All you need is a bit of mindfulness, a notebook, and a few moments to breathe and ask your body, “What’s going on in there?” Let’s say you’re anxious before a meeting. Instead of spiraling into “Why am I always like this?” you pause and notice: Your chest is tight, your breath shallow, and you feel like you’re running on empty. Then comes the “aha” moment: “I’ve had no breaks all day. No wonder I feel this way.” That’s the body’s version of a breakthrough and a chance to reset. And How You Move Through the Day
Try these easy somatic check-ins. The 3-2-1 Body Scan
Start small and write down: • 3 sensations (feet on floor, jaw tight, clammy hands) • 2 slow breaths • 1 question: “What does my body need right now?”
Do it when you wake up, before a tough conversation, or anytime you feel “off.” A journal is your translator. Somatic journaling helps you shift from judgment to curiosity, from disconnection to trust. It’s a practice of tuning into the intelligence that lives under your skin.
You don’t need to “fix” yourself. Just feel. Your body has the answers, and your somatic journal is where they begin.
The Monday Slump Is Real … AND IT’S BIOLOGICAL
Miserable Mondays is a myth. Surprisingly, research suggests people don’t report being significantly unhappier on Mondays than on other weekdays. The problem isn’t Monday itself. It’s our perception of it. We idealize the weekend and villainize Monday, giving it a bad rap it might not fully deserve. The dread is often psychological, built on expectations rather than experience. How to make Mondays better. There’s no magic wand, but there are strategies. Try keeping your weekend wake-up time close to your weekday time to minimize sleep disruption. Wrap up your workweek with a to-do list for Monday so you’re not walking in blind, and schedule something you enjoy for Monday: a fancy coffee, a midday walk, or a catch-up call with a friend. A small pleasure can take the sting out of a stressful start.
hormone, early in the day to help you wake up and move. However, research shows cortisol levels are often higher on Monday mornings. You’re not just waking up; you’re mentally bracing for everything the week is about to throw at you: meetings, deadlines, commutes, and inboxes stacked like Jenga towers. Your brain senses a threat, even if it’s just a packed calendar. Weekend whiplash wrecks your momentum. The weekend is a break from responsibility. You can lounge, laugh, socialize, and embrace your most authentic self. Then Monday shows up and demands a complete 180. That stark contrast of freedom from structure creates mental whiplash. You have to shift gears without a warm-up lap, and your brain rebels. It’s not that Mondays are objectively worse; they just highlight how much better weekends feel.
If you wake up on Monday feeling like you got hit by a truck, you’re not alone and certainly not imagining it. The “Monday scaries” are more than a funny meme; they’re rooted in biology. Two days of relaxed routines, late wake-ups, and maybe a little indulgence throw off your internal body clock. That weekend shift in your sleep schedule can feel like jet lag come Monday morning, making it harder to wake up, focus, or function at full capacity. Stress hormones spike on Mondays. Adding fuel to the fire, your body naturally produces more cortisol, the primary stress
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