Keep a journal or something to scribble on wherever you go. If that sounds inconvenient, use your notes app or email yourself (I email myself daily when thoughts or to-do items pop into my head). Always having something to put our thoughts down on helps us in a cornucopia of ways:

1) It takes a significant amount of stress out of your body: your to-do items and big ideas are no longer having to float around in your head. You don’t have to stress out about forgetting something because you have the idea or reminder jotted down to address later. This is especially helpful when you are trying to sleep. Having a journal or paper next to your bed to jot down reminders or important thoughts will relieve you of any potential stress about forgetting them later allowing you to sleep like an angel;

2) You will remember details you wouldn’t have otherwise. I don’t know about you, but I am not great at remembering someone’s name. Having something to write down a person’s name right after you meet them (I use my notes app on my phone for this) will help you remember and make the person you just met feel like you care. Because you do. Admit it, hearing someone we just met say our name can be the sweetest sound. Keep a journal and write down the names of people you meet. Refer back to it that night before you go to bed;

3) Having your to-do items and ideas that need to be tackled all on a piece of paper makes the items real and tangible, and gives you a sense of accomplishment once you tackle the problem. I love crossing stuff off my list. Also don’t beat yourself up if you don’t tackle everything in a day. Add it to your list for tomorrow!

4) Having a journal helps you track your thoughts and clear your head. Getting everything out on a piece of paper helps you identify where you are in that moment. It can be a helpful reminder that whatever might be bothering you is a reflection of your current mood rather than reality. You can recognize negative thoughts as just that – thoughts – rather than reality, and you can calmly and consciously send them away.

This is just a few reasons to keep a journal or something to write on with you wherever you go. Collect your thoughts, get stressors out of your head and remember your neighbors’ names!