The Benefits Of Keeping A Health Diary

With all the illnesses and god knows what else I have going on inside my body, something I started doing a few years ago was to keep a health diary.


How do I record this information? I don't use an app of any sort, I use the old fashioned method of a notebook and pen. I started a health diary for the different aspects of my health to keep track of everything. I have a food diary, an exercise diary, a blood glucose level diary and an overall health diary. This does involve a few notebooks, but you know, any excuse for new stationary is something I am all for. I fill it in on a daily basis before I go to bed and it helps me flag up any changes or causes for concern. 

The Benefits Of Keeping A Health Diary

I want to be able to understand what my body loves and what my body hates in terms of medications and food and drink. I want to see if any symptoms I have from CF coincide with either medications or my diet. I may as well call myself a doctor.


There are benefits in keeping a health diary/diaries. It's allowed me to feel present with my body and my health. I'm able to spot anything that is wrong quite quickly. After all, we know our own bodies better than anyone, we know when something doesn't feel normal. It's allowed me to see the everchanging patterns within my health and what works well for me and what doesn't. If something isn't working out well with me, I can speak to my consultant and ask his/her advice and discuss the options and plans A, B and C's. I find it ever so reassuring logging everything. At the end of the day, our bodies are important to us individually. It's the only one we've got and I personally want to take care of my body! I like having that better understanding of my body's needs.

The Benefits Of Keeping A Health Diary

Keeping a health diary isn't going to be everybody's cup of tea. But it just doesn't have to be that you need to be disabled or chronically ill to keep tabs on your health. It could be that you would like to keep track of your menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, supplement use, water intake, your mental health, your sleeping habits etc.


Also you don't have to buy tons of notebooks to keep a health diary. There are plenty of apps that are there for you to record this health data. I'm just somebody who prefers to write things down. Making daily observations is kind of fun for me and I like analysing what I've written down and just comparing notes. 

The Benefits Of Keeping A Health Diary

Growing up with a life threatening illness, I had to learn how to analyse my body's data very quickly in regards to my health. Learning to understand my body has been a momentous task, especially with an illness like Cystic Fibrosis throwing obstacles in my way a lot of the time. It's allowed me to become more observant. You'd think I would have become a hypochondriac doing all this. Surprisingly though, I haven't. Purely because I don't Google any symptoms (worst thing to do when you have anxiety) and I am fortunate to have a team of health experts at the end of the phone should I need their advice. 


Taking charge of my health is hard work but it's worth it. Look after your bodies, they're the only ones we have, show them a little love and care! And always, if you think something isn't right, don't be afraid to make an appointment with your GP. Don't feel silly for having any concerns, it may be nothing, but it's always important to get it checked out. 


Do you keep a health diary of some sort? Let me know! 
58 comments
  1. This is a great idea. I've never thought of keeping one but I you gave me an idea to start making one. It's very timely too that I started yesterday working out again and making meal preps for breakfast. Thank God I found your blog!

    Have a great day!

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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    1. I hope you start a health diary of your own then Shaira! xx

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  2. This is such a great idea. I have recently been suffering with migraines and I think keeping a diary could really help me map out what is causing them. I will definitely give this a go. Thanks Lucy x

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    1. It's definitely worth a go keeping a record, I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering with migraines Claire, I hope they pass soon! x

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  3. This is an amazing idea! I used to have a food and exercise diary when I was in school but then stopped when I got to university. I've actually started it back this week!
    I've never used one to make observations like how I'm feeling, or my menstrual cycle though so I think I'll start doing that.

    Rita
    https://theeuropeancloset.com/

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    1. That's great to hear that you're starting a health diary again Rita! x

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  4. This is a very interesting idea! I have a few issues with my joints and in the process of getting a new diagnosis so this would be a handy thing for me to do.

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    1. I'm sorry your going through issues with your joints Steph and I hope you get a diagnosis soon lovely, keeping a diary might be a good idea for you right now x

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  5. This is a great idea! I don't keep a diary but earlier this year, I started using Flo app which tracks my menstural cycles and I love it! This is so helpful to keep track of! My husband had stomach problems all last year and he was too stubborn to document it so it made it harder for his communication with his doctors! Thanks for sharing, Lucy x

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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    1. That app sounds really good for tracking menstrual cycles! It would have been so helpful for your husband's doctors if he kept a record of everything! x

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  6. I find keeping a health diary so helpful, it also helps me to track my moods!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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    1. It is so helpful in keeping track of your health isn't it?!

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  7. I find this quite interesting and I think I need to get onto one as well, it might help me to get where I want with my health.

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  8. This is such a good idea for people who suffer with an illness. Keeping track of your health is super important!

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    1. It's so good to keep track of things in terms of health Kelly! x

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  9. I keep a health diary too and have found it so useful. Getting to know our bodies is so important and working out its likes, dislikes and problems can be so beneficial. I use my phone to jot down mine so I can add to it anytime, anywhere.

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    1. It's so important to be in tune with our bodies, after all, we know our bodies better than anyone! That's a good idea to use your phone as you can just jot things down anywhere!

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  10. When I was at uni, my mum encouraged me to do this because I wasn't listed at a doctors down there. It realy helped me get to grips with myself and my life. It's something I do now even though my mum is only around the corner!

    Rosie

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    1. That's great to hear that your still doing it now Rosie!

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  11. Couldn't agree more! I've started to keep an IBS/food diary to keep track of my triggers and any foods that set me off and it's been really helpful - I have an app on my phone to track it but there's something satisfying about writing it all down. Like you said too, it's always a good excuse to break out the stationery! x
    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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    1. I bet keeping a health diary for your IBS/food diary has really benefitted you Amy! Any excuse to break out the stationary eh?! x

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  12. This is such a brilliant idea and not something I've thought of doing before! It's so important to know and learn about your body x

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    1. It's so good to know what's going on in your body and be in tune with it Della! x

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  13. I've never heard of a health diary before but it sounds like such a good idea! I really am trying to be a lot more healthy and active, so usually keep track on my notes app on my phone. I might get a new diary (good excuse to get one!) to start my own health diary! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. A health diary is definitely a great way to keep track of your health! Plus it is a good excuse to buy new stationary! x

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  14. This is so important! A few years ago in had to do a food and health diary when I was doing an exclusion diet to get to the bottom of a few health concerns, but I had no idea what my baseline 'normal' was... I'd had heartburn and stomach pain for the best part of two years so I never thought anything of it when my doctor asked what symptoms I was having haha! So important to be mindful of your body when it's 'well' so you know when it's maybe not so well too! Milli X - http://millidavison.co.uk/

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    1. I think, when you're reasonably healthy, you never really think of knowing what your baseline 'normal' is! Like you said, it's so important to be mindful of your body and health! x

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  15. I don't have any health conditions but I do track my fitness, so days that I want to run, and days I want to dance or days I will do a workout or walk etc. It helps keep me motivated and know what I am doing or if I need to stop and rest as well. Great post x

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    1. That's great that you keep track of your fitness, I bet it does motivate you to keep working out! x

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  16. This is fantastic, I might have to start doing this!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

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  17. Love this post 😍 I love the idea of keeping a health diary and being able to understand why something may not be working or agreeing with you much quicker than waiting for test results! 🌟
    Xoxo

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    1. Thank you Sarah!
      It's probably a lot quicker to find out problems this way than trying to make an appointment with your doctor! xx

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  18. Love the idea of keeping a health diary! I love the idea of going old school as well with pen & paper! I'd imagine it feels much more accountable.
    Claire.X
    www.clairemac.co.uk

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    1. You can't beat a bit of old school Claire! x

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  19. This is a really great idea. I always find writing things down to be the best way to keep track of everything so this is really a good idea! X

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    1. I feel the same Aaliyah, I love writing things down! x

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  20. That last paragraph could not be more important! Hope you're able to stay as happy and healthy as possible with everything going on!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. Thank you so much Katie! I hope you are well! x

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  21. I think there's definitely times I've tracked certain elements of my health and found it really useful. I agree it's much easier to see whats going on that way

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    1. Absolutely Alice, it's always good to know what is going on with your health!

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  22. Thanks for sharing, I do keep a sort of diary with my Blood Sugar levels so I can see the patterns, so I know what I'm eating effects my levels, but other health bits I'm not doing that yet :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. It's good that you are keeping track of your blood sugar levels, it's good to see what foods effect the blood sugar level!

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  23. This is such a smart idea! I should really start one because I have so much trouble with my digestive system and really need to book an appointment. xx

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    1. Thank you Caroline! It might be a good idea for you to start one lovely, you might be able to solve the mystery of your troublesome digestive system! xx

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  24. I love this idea and I think I'm going to have to start one too! I think it would be interesting to see my steps as things start to open up again!

    Em x

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    1. It's worth starting one Em, it'll be interesting to see how many steps you do when shops and other places start opening again! x

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  25. This is such a great post. I have never thought of keeping a health diary but it makes so much sense and there are so many benefits.

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    1. Thank you Sarah! It's worth keeping a health diary for so many reasons!

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  26. I've never kept a health diary before but that sounds like a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing it!

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  27. I used to keep this kind of diary before but I stopped and then I'm more of keeping a bullet journal now. It's really helpful and amazing for my mental health. It's really a great idea to have one of these. Great sharing, girl! xx

    lenne | lennezulkiflly.com

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    1. That's good that you're keeping a bullet journal for your health! xx

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  28. I don't keep a health diary (fortunately I have no need to as I don't take medication) but I can see how helpful and indeed vital this is for you. I do keep a gratitude journal though, more for my emotional health really x

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    1. It's so helpful for me to keep on track of everything Lisa! x

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  29. This is a fantastic idea to keep track of everything, and I think this would be helpful for someone who really needs to manage their diet or habits for health reasons. Thank you for sharing this post x

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    1. Absolutely lovely, it's a great idea for those who want to keep track of their health! x

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