Living through a global pandemic has messed with our mental and emotional health in countless ways . If youre looking for ways to cope, consider starting a journal.

Mental health professionals have long touted the benefits of journaling: It can alleviate stress and act as a tool to help manage anxiety and depression . Thats important right now given that the vast majority 90% of American adults report dealing with emotional distress related to COVID-19, according to a survey from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard Medical School. And people who dealt with mental health conditions before the pandemic may have a more difficult time handling the stress of this crisis, experts say.