Instructions For Your Journal to HELP Yourself to Health
Reflection is one of the key ingredients in making HELP a success in your life. In order to facilitate reflection we are providing you with this journal format and ask you to create your own book or put together some paper. Please have some paper and pen ready to record your thoughts of where you are now with regard to the 12 themes of health enhancement, as well as a plan of where you would like to direct your effort in the future.
If you build castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.
Henry David Thoreau
Therefore this journal has been divided up into two sections for each component. Section A is to be completed as part of the reflection exercise when covering each health enhancement theme. Section B in this Journal is to be completed once you have studied the “Goal Setting and Planning” theme and have reflected on your priorities and goals. A blank page could be added to your journal for writing down notes on good ideas or suggestions that come up when reading the different themes.
Continue to use this journal format by adding additional blank pages to each section and record your progress, challenges, thoughts and feelings.
Remember to allow your journal to be a creative exercise and feel free to include drawings, photos, objects from nature, cartoons or anything else that comes to mind. Do not let your writing style or lack of practice inhibit you, just pick up a pen and let whatever you are feeling or thinking flow onto the page. Take a moment to regularly read the quotes at the start of each section for reminders and inspiration.
Enjoy your journal and treat it as a friend who you can share your feelings with and grow. Take time to read your journal to remind yourself of the progress you have made. You will find this particularly useful when encountering difficulties and feeling a little low on motivation.