According to plenty of scientific research, journaling is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. It gives us space for self-reflection, time for self-care, and it allows us to process our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
As a self-confessed journal addict, I’ve tried various types over the years, from basic journal prompts to guided journals and everything in between. Using all of my knowledge and passion for journaling, I’ve rounded up some of the best journals for mental health out there today!
Journal Prompts vs Guided Journals
Before we dig into the list, I just wanted to quickly discuss the difference between a journal prompt and a guided journal. If you are quite new to your journaling practice or would like more structure, then I highly recommend looking at guided journals.
However, if you consider yourself a journaling pro or you’d like more freedom and flexibility, use a notebook and journal prompts instead.
In this article, I’ll be looking at various guided journals for mental health. However, if you’d prefer some journal prompts for mental health, you can find those here.
The Best Journals for Mental Health in 2024
Our mental health comes in all shapes and sizes, just like journals, so hopefully, this list gives you plenty of choices to find the right guided journal for you. Please remember that while journaling can be an amazing part of recovery and self-care, nothing is a substitute for proper, professional help and support.
1. The Anti-Burnout Journal
Feeling stressed and burnt out? This 12-week undated guided journal has been designed to help you on a journey to recovery. Each week, you’ll focus on a new aspect of your well-being, from setting goals and creating new positive habits to yoga and meditation.
It comes with daily guided pages that take just a few minutes a day, regular check-ins, weekly lessons, and a free 12-week online course, too!
Best Bits
- Undated daily pages so you can pick up and put down at any time
- Comes with a free online course with dozens of videos to complement the journal
- Space for habit tracking, gratitude and more
2. Overcoming Overwhelm Journal
If you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious because you’re drowning in to-dos, then Overcoming Overwhelm is the journal for you.
Each week, you’ll brain dump everything out of your mind onto paper and then use the daily pages to feel more organised and in control. It’s another 12-week start-anytime journal, but this time, it’s split into three main sections to dig deeper into overwhelm and how to overcome it!
Best Bits
- Lots of space to brain dump anything making you feel stressed
- A more flexible way of planning your days by morning, afternoon and evening
- Mood tracking and reflections (daily, weekly and monthly)
Note: I created both The Anti-Burnout and Overcoming Overwhelm journals using all of my own learnings and experience with burnout, stress, and overwhelm. Those I’ve spoken to have said the journals have really helped them strengthen their own journaling for mental health practice (or build one if they were a beginner), so I really hope they help you too.
Okay, let’s dig into the rest of the list!
3. Clever Fox Self-Care Journal
If I hadn’t written my own journals, this would be my next pick! Again, you’ve got three months of undated pages, so you can pick it up and put it down whenever you like. The guided questions and prompts help you reflect and build more self-awareness each day. The stickers are a cute touch, too!
Best Bits
- Undated so you can start/stop at any time
- Cute stickers and plenty of extras
- More of a planner feel for organiser fans
4. The 6-Minute Diary Gratitude Journal
Not have a lot of time for self-care? I love these simple little gratitude journals, which only take a few minutes every morning and evening for self-reflection. They have check-ins daily and ones to complete each month on aspects of your life, such as family, health, and finances.
Best Bits
- Excellent if you’re short on time
- One of the most popular guided journals on Amazon
- Great for those who just want to start journaling
5. The Five Minute Journal
Don’t have enough time to use the 6-minute journal? Then you’ll want the five-minute journal! In all honesty, these two are pretty much the same as far as guided journals go, so it’ll just be down to aesthetics, preference (and whether you have that extra minute spare).
Best Bits
- Even shorter than the six-minute journal
- Helps you develop healthy habits
- Easy to use every day
6. The Anxiety Journal
What an absolutely gorgeous journal for anyone struggling with negative emotions such as anxiety and high levels of stress. Psychologist Corinne Sweet has put together this journal using CBT practices that will help you feel calmer and more in control. I highly, highly recommend this one!
Best Bits
- Designed to help with anxiety specifically
- Helps you to recognize patterns and deal with them
- Therapy (CBT) practices
7. Mindfulness: A Day and Night Reflection Journal
If beautiful guided journals are your thing, then this is the one for you! This mindfulness journal really encourages self-reflection and self-discovery, so it is ideal for making positive changes to your mental health. It’s a little less in-depth than some of the others, so it all depends on how much guidance you need.
Best Bits
- Aesthetically really pleasing
- Not as in-depth as some other guided journals for those who prefer that
- Ideal for self-growth
8. 30 Days of Gratitude Journal
Sometimes, the simplest things are the best! When it comes to writing prompts, a daily gratitude check-in can be enough to improve your emotional well-being. This 30 Days of Gratitude journal is perfect for those who like things short and sweet.
Best Bits
- As simple as it gets when it comes to guided journaling!
- Daily prompts to help you practice more gratitude
- Helps create good habits with regular journaling
9. Mind Journal
Another gorgeous journal for personal growth that helps you check in both morning and evening. This journal has daily pages along with weekly check-ins that ask about things such as physical health and self-care practices. It’s great for quick tickbox exercises to monitor your wellbeing.
Best Bits
- One of the best guided journals for those who want to focus on lots of different aspects of wellbeing
- Can help you self-reflect every day
- It’s aesthetically pleasing, too!
10. Mental Health Journal
I love how much space there is in this mental health journal; it feels clean and ready for me to dump all my thoughts and worries into it. There’s space for self-exploration, self-love, affirmations, intentions, and so much more.
Best Bits
- A powerful tool for goal setting
- Great for beginners and pros alike
- Plenty of space for journaling on thoughts, feelings and emotions
11. The Tiger and the Snail Wellbeing Journal
This guided journal by The Little Calm and Happy Company makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. There are six months of daily pages, exercises and guides. There is also the adorable story of the tiger and the snail – a tale which might make you think a little differently about things going forward… (that’s all I’m giving away).
Best Bits
- A really unique journal with a short story to follow along the way
- Six months of daily pages (most are usually around three months)
- One of my all-time favourites
12. LSW London Mind Notes Journal
I love the LSW Mind Cards and have given away 100s as Random Acts of Kindness so far! I was really excited to learn they’d also bought out a journal. This journal is filled with exercises that can help with cultivating gratitude, positive thinking, and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself.
Best Bits
- Made by LSW who are passionate about better wellbeing
- Filled with exercises to help with different aspects of your mental health
- Really gorgeous and convenient to carry in your bag
13. Worry for Nothing Journal
Another excellent journal specifically designed for anxiety, which is packed full of CBT practices, thought-provoking prompts, and so much more. This journal will help you challenge those automatic negative thoughts that come with anxiety and help improve your self-esteem too!
Best Bits
- Full of CBT exercises with a focus on worry and anxiety
- Can help you process difficult thoughts and emotions
- Really sleek and subtle design
14. Finding Balance Journal
This guided journal will help you find more balance by practicing self-care and then reflecting on it! You’re given space to put in any self-care activities you’d like to do that day and then track things like hydration and energy levels.
Best Bits
- Covers various aspects of wellbeing
- Habits and mood tracking
- Lots of space to reflect
15. The Mental Health Journal
There are lots of different ways people look after their mental health and well-being, so finding the right journal for that is really important. This is one of the only guided journals on this list with space for your meals; so if you feel as though what you eat impacts your day, this might be the one for you.
Best Bits
- Lots of different aspects of wellbeing again
- Space to plan days and reflect at night
- Aesthetic and easily portable too
16. Mental Health Journal for Men
Look, I know this one is going to be divisive (why do journals even need to be gendered?!) but this actually is an excellent buy. The author, Ryan Howes, PhD, breaks down different exercises to help you deal with stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges. It’s not a daily pages kind of journal, but more of a workbook to help cultivate a more positive mindset.
Best Bits
- Lots of different therapies and exercises
- Designed to encourage men to explore their mental wellbeing, but suitable for all
- Written by a clinical psychologist
17. Therapy Journal
If you go to therapy (which we all should do at some point in our lives), then I highly, highly recommend some form of journaling process after each session. Luckily, you don’t need to think about what to write because this therapy journal has it all sussed for you. I really wish I’d known about this ages ago, as the guided prompts will help you get the most out of each therapy session!
Best Bits
- A totally unique concept
- Excellent to complement therapy
- Simple to complete each time
18. Let That Sh*t go Journal
Or to give it it’s full name: Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life (Zen as F*ck Journals). Look, if you don’t like a bit of swearing then this probably isn’t the journal for you. However, if this is one of your coping mechanisms then you’re going to love this offering from Monica Sweeney.
Best Bits
- Lots of journaling inspiration and activities
- Sweary for those who like that kind of thing
- As funny as it is thought-provoking
19. ACT Daily Journal
CBT is probably one of the most talked about types of therapy, but have you ever heard of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? It’s an amazing way to live by your personal values with self-compassion and mindfulness. The thought-provoking questions and prompts will help teach you the principles of ACT, which everyone can then use in their daily lives.
Best Bits
- Uses therapist recommended ACT exercises
- Lots of unique activities and prompts
- Something different from the usual CBT
There are so many incredible journals out there, that finding the best journals for mental health felt like an impossible task. However, whether you are struggling with stress, low mood, anxiety or just want to bring some more self-care into your life, I believe there is something on this list for you!
