Top 12 Best Hardcover Notebooks For 2021 (With Buyers Guide)

Keeping memories in lenses is special and keeping them in your hardcover notebook is even more special. What you are jotting down on your hardcover notebook today, might become a history the next day.

A notebook has many uses as it comes with many a type. If you just want to choose them randomly then, there is a huge possibility that you end up choosing a notebook that doesn't suit your needs.

And when it comes to the best hardcover notebooks, it is, in particular, comes in different types. There is one for every purpose. Not all of them are equally good for taking notes, sketching, or drawing. No worries! We will find out together which one is best and why it becomes the best.

Our Top 12 Best Hardcover Notebooks Of 2021

There are hundreds of notebooks available on the market. Honestly, sometimes it is a little bit intimidating to choose the right one. No worries! We got you covered here and made a list of the 12 best hardback notebooks. Let's dive in!

1. Lemome Thick Classic Notebook with Pen Loop

2. Black n' Red Hardcover Notebook

This hardcover notebook comes with top-notch ultra-smooth white optic paper. This is incredible in quality among the current notebooks in the market. Black n Red hardcover notebooks are serving the community for more than a decade. And the manufacturer claims to provide the best quality notebooks at an affordable price in the town. We will look into its features and specifications one by one.

First of all, as expected, it comes with distinctive hard-wearing hardbacks. The cover itself is made of poly over that hardback, which pretty much enables the notebook flexible and easy to handle. Moreover, this poly hardcover protects your notebook pages for years.

It comes with 70 sheets or a total of 140 pages. You can write both pages without having any bleed or smudge unless it is the wettest fountain pen. If the ink is too thick or wet, then you should wait for a few seconds to dry it completely.

Now, one of the best parts of this notebook is, of course, its super bindings. It is durable and really comfortable to use. The twin wire bound allows you to lay it flat or fold back on itself. Surely it will give you the utmost comfort and flexibility.

Another exciting feature it carries is that you can scan and saves your notebook pages to SCRIBZEE. It is a note-taking app. The pages are designed in a way that helps you to scan and share your notes with others. This is totally a free app.

Moreover, the manufacturing process of Black n Red is independent certified. Meaning, from raw material sourcing to the supply chain process, it all follows the environmental rules. Sure it will give you more confidence that you're choosing a product that makes the environment sound.

Highlighted Features

• No worries for bleeding or show-through
• Ink dries reasonably fast and compatible with any ink
• Great for the price
• The sheets are not perforated
• Acid-free antic papers(70 sheets/140 pages)

3. Amazon Basics Hardcover Classic Lined Notebook

When you are looking for the best hardcover notebook, you should definitely consider getting one that is from amazon basics. Such products are great in quality and great for the prices.

The majority of the artists we spoke and asked about the most important things in a notebook said that it is its pages. Some of them said it is its cover.

Don't you want your notebook pages alive for a long? Imagine reading your poems or eyeballing daily journals after 20-30 years later; how does it feel? Especially in teen ages, thoughts and preferences change very quickly. Maybe I'd like to be a doctor at 13, and if you ask me the same question at 15, I might tell you I'd like to be a pilot this time. Actually, I have had this experience. And I'm pretty sure many of the teenagers nowadays face this problem. 'Problem' would be a controversial word in this context because this is what it is.

So the point being, looking into our old deeds, especially drawings and writings, give us pleasure and excitement. What if your notebook pages aren't good enough? And it gets totally spoiled and yellowed within a few years? Sure, you don't want this experience to experience. And for doing so, you need pages that are made of acid-free paper. This notebook comes with exactly the same what you are looking for. Its pages are archival quality and don't get yellowed over time.

Another advantage of keeping this book is that it doesn't require too much of your attention. It has an elastic closure system that helps it be closed securely. Moreover, you will get the integrated bookmark facility in it.

Finally, this cardboard made hardcover notebook is suitable for your daily journaling, business planning, and for so many other applications. Don't worry much; get yourself an amazon basic notebook ASAP.

Highlighted Features

• Rounded corners classic looking notebook
• 120 sheets or 240 ruled pages
• It offers expandable inner pockets for loose items
• 30 lines per page
• Great for the price

4. Huhuhero 5 Pack Notebooks Journals

While we are on the topic of best hardcover notebooks, it would be a crime if we skip over the notebook from Huhuhero. This is one of the most preferred notebooks in the market right now. There‌ ‌are‌ ‌several‌ ‌reasons‌ ‌why‌ ‌this‌ ‌notebook‌ ‌is‌ ‌among‌ ‌the‌ ‌top‌ ‌class‌ ‌notebooks‌ for years.‌ ‌You'll‌ ‌find‌ ‌out‌ ‌shortly,‌ ‌why.‌ ‌

Okay,‌ ‌first‌ ‌of‌ ‌all.‌ ‌What‌ ‌captivates‌ ‌me‌ ‌the‌ ‌most‌ ‌of‌ ‌this‌ ‌notebook‌ ‌is‌ ‌its‌ ‌super‌ ‌quality‌ ‌pages.‌ ‌Without‌ ‌a‌ ‌doubt,‌ ‌they‌ ‌provide‌ ‌the‌ ‌best‌ ‌quality‌ ‌pages‌ ‌among‌ ‌the‌ ‌present‌ ‌brands‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌market.‌ ‌It‌ ‌may‌ ‌sound‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit‌ ‌personal‌ ‌, though,‌ ‌but‌ ‌true‌ ‌that,‌ ‌I‌ ‌really‌ ‌am‌ ‌a‌ ‌person‌ ‌who‌ ‌always‌ ‌looks‌ ‌for‌ ‌‌ ‌page‌ ‌quality‌ ‌first.‌ ‌If‌ ‌it‌ ‌fails‌ ‌to‌ ‌impress‌ ‌me‌ ‌enough,‌ ‌then‌ ‌no‌ ‌matter‌ ‌how‌ ‌does‌ ‌it‌ ‌look‌ ‌like‌ ‌or‌ ‌how‌ ‌affordable‌ ‌it‌ ‌is.‌ ‌ ‌

So,‌ ‌if‌ ‌you're‌ ‌someone‌ ‌like‌ ‌myself,‌ ‌you'd‌ ‌definitely‌ ‌like‌ ‌their‌ ‌120gsm‌ ‌thick‌ ‌pages.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌enough,‌ ‌honestly.‌ ‌No‌ ‌worries‌ ‌about‌ ‌bleeding‌ ‌ink‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌page‌ ‌or‌ ‌any‌ ‌kind‌ ‌of‌ ‌show through.‌ ‌However,‌ ‌If‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌wettest‌ ‌fountain‌ ‌ink,‌ ‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌take‌ ‌some‌ ‌time‌ ‌to‌ ‌dry‌ ‌completely.‌ ‌

The‌ ‌item‌ ‌comes‌ ‌with‌ ‌60‌ ‌sheets‌ ‌or‌ ‌120‌ ‌pages.‌ ‌120gsm‌ ‌pages,‌ ‌meaning‌ ‌35%‌ ‌thicker‌ ‌than‌ ‌the‌ ‌normal‌ ‌pages.‌ ‌You‌ ‌can‌ ‌use‌ ‌any‌ ‌pen‌ ‌over‌ ‌it‌ ‌including,‌ ‌gel‌ ‌pens,‌ ‌ballpoint‌ ‌pens,‌ ‌fountain‌ ‌pens‌ ‌except‌ ‌markers‌ ‌(alcohol-based).‌ ‌The‌ ‌interesting‌ ‌thing‌ ‌is‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌paper‌ ‌in‌ ‌and‌ ‌of‌ ‌itself‌ ‌is‌ ‌protective.‌ ‌It‌ ‌will‌ ‌protect‌ ‌itself‌ ‌from‌ ‌light‌ ‌and‌ ‌air.‌ ‌Moreover,‌ ‌it‌ ‌will‌ ‌also‌ ‌give‌ ‌your‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌a‌ ‌smooth,‌ ‌relaxing‌ ‌feeling.‌ ‌ ‌

What's more? It comes with a pen holder, ribbon bookmark, an elastic closure band, and an expandable pocket in it. The pocket comes really handy for carrying cards, receipts, and other important things in one place. Moreover, in the elastic pen loop, you can keep your glass dip pens, fountain pens (or any pen you cherish) well.

Last, but not the least, no doubt, this item is a bit expensive than other hardcover notebooks. But remain sure that it will provide the best quality of materials thus experience that you would expect ever.

Highlighted Features

• Great for daily journaling, business planning, note-taking, and so on
• 120gsm thick pages (35% thicker than normal pages)
• You can write with any pen without having bleeding (except alcohol-based markers)
• The faux leather cover feels soft and smooth in the hand
• Lay-flat design for comfortable writing and drawing
• It comes with a pen holder, expandable pocket, ribbon bookmarks, and an elastic closure band

5. YeeATZ Thick Hardcover Notebook

If you're a budget-minded buyer looking for a quality hardcover notebook at an affordable price then, I highly suspect there will be a better option than this notebook. The black color leather cover notebook stands strong in page quality and offers lay-flat 180-degree for utmost comfort and flexibility.

Now, up to this point, we didn't talk about the perforated pages. But this time, YeeATZ comes with 8 perforated pages that can be to tear off anytime.

Honestly, this is more of a replica of the previous one from Huhuhero. It may sound a bit odd, though, but the reality says it all. This notebook comes with 3 ribbon bookmarks, a pen holder, an elastic closure band, and an expandable inner pocket. All you also get in the previous hardcover notebook. And yes, in my opinion, that is one of the best hardback notebooks available on the market right now.

All right. The notebook comes with 96 sheets or 192 pages. All the pages are 120gsm. You already know what it means. So, no question about the page quality.

Now, when it comes to flexibility and writing in comfort, this product will take you a long way. In other words, you can lay it completely flat so that on both pages, you can write without an issue. And I believe it one of the most important qualities to have.

One thing that I found the manufacturer can take a serious look into is the journal's interchangeability. Once the journal is finished, you can't take the journal out and refill it with a new insert. And this especially is needed in somewhat expensive notebooks.

So, overall this is a fantastic notebook to own for daily journaling, weekly planning, or even for gifting to friends and family members.

Highlighted Features

• It offers premium quality paper- (acid-free; 120gsm)
• It lays completely flat
• Great for the price
• Deep back pocket, elastic closure, and a pen holder included
• You can write with any pen over rounded arc corner pages

6. Artfan Store Ruled Journal with Thick Paper

For some buyers, the most preferred hardcover notebook is that which strikes a perfect balance between quality and affordability. In other words, they need a quality product yet at an affordable price. So, here is my pick for those who are looking for this type of product.

The notebook cover is designed in a fancy way that will attract anyone. The color combination of pink, off white and light pink, is, perhaps, something that you're looking for.

What if I tell you about a notebook that is weather resistant? You can cherish it in any weather condition, no matter whether it is rainy or sunny. Isn't it somewhat exciting? The fact is, this notebook cover is made of hard marble that protects your journal from anything unexpected.

But what I like most about the notebook is that it is light and smaller than others. Meaning, you can easily carry it in your pocket. The 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.5-inch notebook is really handy to travel with. It will allow you to write or draw down your thoughts at anytime, anywhere.

Have you ever get hurt by sharp page corners? It sounds somewhat light and perhaps funny. But the reality could be very intimidating. Therefore, this hardcover notebook comes with rounded pages that prevent you get hurt in any circumstance.

What about being shackled writing with any pen? Suppose, you would like to write and draw with fountain pens or ruling pens, but your notebook pages don't go with these ink pens. How does it feel, actually? No worries, you don't have to experience this experience when you have the Artfan hardback notebook. The pages are thicker than the normal pages. Meaning, you can write with almost any pen except alcohol-based markers and pens like that.

Highlighted Features

• Rose gold stamping on the cover makes it more elegant and sophisticated
• It weighs light and sizes small; easy to carry on pocket
• Elastic closure band doesn't allow your notebook to loosen over time
• A great option for gifting anyone
• Highly affordable

7. BooQool Ruled Hardcover Spiral Notebook

Looking for a good looking hardcover notebook to start your daily journaling? Get yourself a BooQool hardback notebook. It looks beautiful and really good to start with.

It comes with 134 pages or 67 white sheets. A size of 6.3 "X 8.35" is perfect for carrying in your backpack or travel bag. Moreover, the 7mm ruled pages are great for using in college, note-taking, and daily journaling as well.

The page quality it offers is quite satisfying. It doesn't bleed or show through the page. You can use all the pens except something like the wettest fountain pen. And all the pages are white lined.

The best part of this product is its twin-wire binding. It ensures the notebook laying flat completely to give you the utmost comfort and flexibility. In addition, it offers a back pocket to carry your important things like business cards, receipts, and other bills in one place.

But what I like most about this product is its versatility. As you can use this journal in your college, office, daily journaling, and for so many other applications. Meaning, you don't need to purchase multiple notebooks for your multiple applications. I don't oppose doing this in some cases, but for example, your daily journaling and weekly planning could be comfortably done with the same notebook.

And this is a great choice for anyone around you who loves to think deeply. Let me rephrase the sentence. This is a notebook for creative writing, doodling, drawing- Anything that you feel in your heart can be demonstrated in these white pages. So, you can consider this notebook for your family member and friends as well.

Highlighted Features

• Multi-purpose 7mm ruled notebook
• A vibrant green beautiful hardcover
• Twin-wire binding ensures complete lay-flat
• Great for the price
• Suitable for daily journaling, note-taking, business planning, etc.

8. Hamelin Hardcover Spiral Notebook

Hamelin is one of the most preferred notebook brands all over the world. They have been in this industry for more than 150 years. In the case of this hardcover notebook, despite being available in the market for a short time, with its quality, it captivates a huge number of notebook users in the last couple of years. You'll find out shortly, why.

It offers you the perfect deal for the money. The way it has been designed stands out from the crowd. I cannot necessarily demonstrate the scenario here, but you guess well how it looks in real. It comes with 75 sheets or 150 pages.

Do you write with heavy hands? Do you feel somewhat uncomfortable writing on the other side? Is it always visible what you have written on the front page once you flip it over? Not with this notebook! The pages are thicker than the normal paper. It is 90gsm, they provide. Not that many of thicker pages yet still enough to cherish with almost every pen available on the market without having any issue writing on the next page. And notably, they don't bleed through or smear at all unless you use something very wet like alcohol-based marker pens.

What of the quality of the entire notebook? Well, you got to know about the page quality and specifically what you're allowed to do. And you'll be glad to know that the notebook is optimized for the SCIBZEE app. Meaning, you can take all your notes in your phone or tab by scanning through this free app.

Finally, in order to take your journaling and note-taking habit to a different level, get yourself this amazing piece of a notebook from the famous Hamelin. I strongly believe, you won't regret spending money on it.

Highlighted Features

• Optik paper allows you to write effortlessly across the page
• 90gsm thick pages ensure no ink bleed through the pages
• Great deal for the price
• Pages are optimized for the SCIBZEE app
• It doesn't smudge even when erasing pencil notes

9. Taotree 2-Pack Pocket Notebook Journal

The Taotree notebook journal contains 128 pages or 64 sheets measuring 5 by 8.25 inches. This is one of the most popular notebook brands in our present era. Their goal is to provide quality notebooks yet in a simplistic design. If you look at all their journal products, it is very clear that they don't love to produce colorful stuff. We'll look into each and every feature and specification of this notebook.

Taotree has been in the business for a long time. Meaning they are pretty experienced and well known in this industry. Sure this gives them some extra benefits as well.

Well, what is the best part of this notebook? For me, it's premium quality pages. It is of 120gsm. Certainly, thicker than many other notebooks in the market. Not only the thickness but the paper finish also helps the pen to glide smoothly and comfortably. After a few minutes of writing, it seems like words are blooming over the paper.

This is a complete package of a notebook. Along with thicker dotted journal pages, it comes with a cardholder, 1 sturdy expandable inner pocket, and an elastic closure band. After even using the notebook for a long time, it won't get loosen as long as you have the automated elastic closure band. On the other hand, in the cardholder, you can store all your important cards in one place. And the inner pocket is for all types of small stuff that you want to carry with you.

The Taotree notebook is designed with the highest quality leather cover. It is made of Polyurethane leather that feels soft and pretty comfortable in hand.

Finally, I highly recommend this multipurpose hardcover notebook for anyone and to use at anywhere as well.

Highlighted Features

• Two inside pocket along with elastic closer and bookmark
• Thicker pages; 30% thicker than normal paper (120gsm)
• Pens glide smoothly over the paper; no bleeding through
• Great deal for the price
• Multipurpose notebook (Ideal for writing and drawings)

10. Samsill Vintage Hardcover Notebook

Do you love a mix of classic and modern? Do your choices differ from others? Get a close look at the Samsill vintage hardcover notebook. This is for you.

Without having any doubt, this is a notebook that captivates on its first look. As simple as that. It has nothing fancy but elegance. The multi-tone aged dark brown color cover tells something like, "I'm not going to be out of the frame by any means." Meaning its design and vintage appearance creates a timeless appeal for it. So, you don't have to worry about getting out of the trend or anything similar to that.

As it doesn't lose its appeal over the years, it must be durable, isn't it? And yes, this is extremely durable and long-lasting. The hardbound spine and cover protect your journal, meaning writings and drawings, for a long period of time. And importantly, it doesn't get smeared or smudged over time. If the page quality isn't up to the mark, then it is most likely to happen. And especially, to avoid pages being yellowed over time, it must have to be acid-free.

The notebook comes with 100 sheets or 200 pages. No worries about page quality and the cover. They all are made of quality materials. The cover is made of top-notch faux leather that used to last for a long.

It is suitable for your daily use, schools, colleges, or business planning. In other words, this is a multipurpose hardcover notebook. You can use it anytime, anywhere, jotting down your ideas on the paper.

Finally, I would highly recommend this vintage notebook for all of you who love to stay classy and elegant all the time. This is a notebook that never gets old.

Highlighted Features

• It looks so elegant and classy (a mix of classic and modern)
• Highly durable; it never loses its appeal
• You can use it for various purposes
• Great gift option
• It comes with plenty of 100 sheets or 200 pages

11. Scrivwell Dotted A5 Hardcover Notebook

If you are a student or only getting started with using notebooks, there's no need to get an expensive hardcover notebook.

It'd be better to purchase an affordable yet effective notebook because that way you'll not use as much money. And interestingly, you're not even falling short of any quality.

The notebook comes with 120gsm paper with a slight coating over it. I think this is enough of a paper for notebook journaling or planning. Imagine 30% thicker pages than normal paper. Meaning this is quite enough to withstand with any pen or paint.

You can use any fountain pen to gel pen without facing any discomfort. Although if you apply too much ink to a particular place, it can bleed through the page. Don't forget this is, after all, a piece of paper. Too much pressure or an excessive amount of inking can warp the page.

Do you feel somewhat uncomfortable storing cards in different places? Meaning, do you want to store or bear all your cards in one place? Sure it will save your time and ease your life. No worries then; the Scrivwell Dotted notebook gets to cover you up. You can store all your bills, business cards, fancy pens, etc., in one place. It has two marker ribbons and one expandable inner pocket.

Are you such a person who likes to jot down his/her thoughts anywhere at any time? Suppose, you are on a travel, suddenly an idea comes to your mind, and immediately you start feeling that you need to write or draw that down. Do you feel something like this? If you do, then you have a creative personality. This is surely appreciative.

However, to cope up with this situation, you need something like a notebook, a spiral pad, or even a piece of paper that always stays with you. I don't advise a piece of white paper because it is easy to lose. Whatever, the point being, you can walk through the best of having a pocket-size notebook. It is classic, stylish, and way more effective.

This notebook comes in a size of 5.5 x 8.2 inches. It is designed with the vegan leather hardcover that is pretty much able to protect your journal from drops, spills and provides a secure, firm, quality feel.

Highlighted Features

• Top-quality thick pages (120gsm)
• Vegan leather cover
• Great for schools, traveling, and daily journaling
• 2 marker ribbons, one expandable pocket, and 1 elastic closure included
• Great deal for the price

12. BooQool Hardcover Lined Journal

BooQool is one of the most preferred brands in this industry. And you cannot go wrong buying from it. You'll find the reasons shortly.

Up to this point, we've mostly talked about the thicker paper notebook available on the market. I personally like to have thicker pages for any of my daily uses. However, what about a type of paper that is less thick than the previous ones? In other words, if it is less than 120gsm, then what should you do?

First of all, this is a personal choice. One loves to write over the thicker paper and one over the thin paper. Generally speaking, in the case of notebooks, people seem to prefer the thicker paper. The reason behind it is simple. The thicker paper allows you to write both of its sides. And the thicker your paper is, the more it is less likely to bleed through.

On the other hand, it is also preferable to pick a type of paper that just suffices you not to bleed or show through pages. That's it. You can choose anything above that level of thickness. So, if you like to write over thin pages, meaning thick enough but that thick, you can undoubtedly choose this product. It is thick enough but certainly not as thick as the Scrivwell or Taotree notebooks.

What I like most about the notebook is its versatility. It is quite suitable for your daily journal, note-taking, travel journal, or even business plan. This is a multipurpose notebook.

This 180 degree lay-flat easy-going, and super comfortable hardcover notebook is for all. You don't have to be someone to use this amazing piece of a notebook. You can use it in school, office, college, or even in the house for daily note keeping.

Highlighted Features

• Super comfortable and flexible to write with (lay flat 180 degree)
• 25% thicker pages than the normal paper
• This is a multipurpose notebook
• Strong spiral binding never let you down
• This is not refillable

Hardcover Notebooks Comparison Chart

What To Consider Before Buying a Hardcover Notebook

A notebook isn't something that you buy once a week or month. So, you need to be careful when especially you're buying for the first time. There are several brands of hardcover notebooks. And as expected, they all claim to provide the best quality notebooks. But the reality? You know as well.

All the notebooks we bring in our list are top class. Yet, it is true that all of them will perhaps not suit your needs equally. So, I have a few criteria that'd help you further to choose the most suitable hardcover notebook from our list.

Page

First and foremost, you buy a notebook to write or draw over its pages, right? If that's the case, then everything becomes secondary except having good quality pages. Meaning, if the quality of the paper is good, then we are on it. We will look further into its other elements, but if the pages aren't up to the mark, there's no point going further for it.

Now, the question is, what is the definition or criteria of being a good quality paper? Well, in the case of notebooks, generally speaking, thicker pages are better pages. Because, it allows the user to write both sides of the paper. In other words, if the paper is thin, the ink will more likely bleed and show through the pages. You won't be able to use both sides, even the next page as well.

So, any paper above 100gsm is considered to be a good quality paper. We already have brought you some hardback notebooks that offer 120gsm pages. Honestly, this is more than enough.

Cover

A good cover does protect your texts and arts for a long time. Hardcover notebooks are designed with some types of covers, including leather cover, polyurethane cover, and faux leather cover. And some other covers are completely made from hardback paper.

In my opinion, leather covers are more suitable for notebooks. It feels comfortable in hand. Thus, it brings a good experience to the journal. Moreover, leather covers look classy and elegant. Still, this is a very personal opinion. There's less to do with the quality.

On the other hand, if you're someone who would like to go with something really colorful, then it would be wise to look for paperback hardcovers. Because, normally, they are more glowing and dramatic.

Versatility

This is optional, truly. If you would like to use the notebook for one single purpose, then there's no point in looking at this criterion. If you feel like using the same notebook for various purposes, then you should focus on this quality.

Frequently Asked Question

I here tried to answer some of the most common questions asked regarding notebooks and journals. I hope it'd help.

Question: What is the best way of taking notes? Paper or computer?

Answer: Should you take your notes on a computer, or should you stick to a paper notebook?

If you're looking for ways to take more efficient notes in class and also make those notes easier to study later, this is so important to identify which is the best for you. So, which method is the best for both of those?

On the one hand, taking notes on a computer is, in most cases, a lot faster than writing them down by hand. You can also go back and add things to already written notes, reformat things easily, and as an added benefit, you can sync things to different devices if you're using an app like Evernote. That way, you can study notes on your phone or any other device you have with you.

But, on the other hand, when you take your notes on paper, you have a lot more flexibility. You can draw arrows and notes, make symbols a lot easier, and for math notes, it's hands down a better method. Also, there are some research findings that actually speak in favor of paper notes, and those are what I want to cover in this answer.

A recent study found that students who take their notes on a computer tend to write an average of 310 words per lecture.

On the other hand, students who wrote on paper, took notes at an average of 173 words.

The study also said that a student who used to take his notes on paper was more readily able to remember what he had learned about half an hour after the lecture. This is my point. What for taking notes?

People who take notes on paper are more apt to look at the concepts as they're presented and learn them right away. This is because they're not using so much brainpower on recording every little detail in the lecture.

If you choose to take your notes on a computer, be deliberate about learning the concepts as they're presented. Don't be a transcription machine.

Or, if you find that the temptation to just mindlessly record notes on your computer is too great, try switching to paper immediately.

Question: Why journaling is good for mental health?

Answer: journaling! This is one of my favorite practices of all time just because of all of the mental health benefits that come along with such a simple practice. Some people prefer electronic journals, but personally, I prefer good old fashioned pen and paper. Here are some of the reasons that I really recommend this practice to be familiar with.

1. First of all, journaling a great way to keep us in that present moment. It really makes us pay attention to what we are experiencing at the time or that day, whatever it might be. But it's an excellent coping skill to really self-reflect.

2. And it's really great for increasing our self-awareness because it really does force us to be able to think about how was I feeling, what was I thinking, how did I react to that situation, etc. so over time, as we continue this practice, it really gives us this tool that allows us to reflect on our own thoughts and feelings and behaviors

3. Number three is that some of us and including our kids, it's easier for us to write how we are feeling as opposed to be able to verbally communicate that. So if your child experiences this, or perhaps you experience this as a parent, a joint journal with your child is an excellent tool to have in the home because it gives both parties the ability to express what they're feeling in the moment, express what they're thinking, what struggling with or maybe even celebrate a really good accomplishment or even just feeling good.

So this is a nice way to be able to communicate back and forth with your child and have these conversations. If maybe it's difficult to have those verbal back and forth.

4. And then, finally, a journal is a great way for us to self-reflect. We can look back and see where we started and see how far we've come. We can see the progress that we've made, and we can see accomplishments that have been achieved. And this is just an excellent coping skill and such a great benefit to our own mental house.