Journal writing can benefit mental health in several ways according to certified professional coach Talya E. Gershon. Gershon develops individualized treatment plans including tools like yoga, meditation, and journaling to help clients improve resiliency and psychological health. Journaling has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, improve memory, lessen feelings of depression, and enhance immune function by utilizing the analytic left side of the brain. For journaling to be most effective, it should be done consistently, at least once per day, and can be either structured or informal as long as it remains private and honest.