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Mindful Journaling on Lanai and at Home

Hawaii, Lanai, U.S.A.

Many remember diaries from childhood, with an important lock to keep siblings out. But as adults, journaling, or writing in a diary, is a powerful practice that helps people set and track goals, record emotions and events or simply note things of interest.

Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort offers a luxurious adults-only wellness enclave on the secluded Hawaiian island of Lanai. The wellness team follows the Sensei Way, an evidence-led approach to well-being rooted in movement, nourishment, and rest – guests can choose from enriching classes, island adventures, relaxing treatments and private wellness consultations for their stay.

Pre-arrival, wellness-program guests are asked to share their intentions and goals for their visit, along with information about fitness and other lifestyle habits. In sessions at the resort, the Sensei Guides might request further consideration, perhaps delving into motivations, daily activities, or issues they may want to address.

For example, guests with improved sleep as a goal might learn how journaling exercises help reduce anxiety before bed and even help one stay asleep without arising during the night. Others may find if woken up mid-sleep that writing their thoughts down allows them to put them to the side literally, freeing them to return to slumber.

Finding time to rest well is often another challenge. Effective downtime leads to greater creativity and productivity by giving the brain a chance to rest, relax and refresh its ideas. Each person has different ideas for relaxing activities, from soaking in a warm bath, to enjoying a massage or gardening.

Journaling is often a suggestion for getting more attuned to mindfulness during a restful period.

Keeping a journal provides an opportunity for self-reflection, tracking patterns in health, monitoring learnings and acknowledging one’s feelings. Evidence indicates that the act of journaling can also contribute to improved mood, memory and perspective and reduce overall stress levels.

At Sensei Lanai, meditation is an activity guests will often find on their itineraries, from private sessions or group classes such as Morning Meditation and Yoga or Silent Meditation. The two practices, journaling and meditation, are often paired to help guests slow down and gain greater insight into their individual selves and what is on one’s mind.

While those new to the practice may feel unsure of how to start, the Guides stress that even five minutes can be enough to see where this practice can lead. To help, the team at Sensei has created a series of prompts, to provide structure when beginning - each of the prompts has a purpose and is intentional to enrich each experience.