This Father’s Day is going to be different than years past. 

Perhaps now more than ever, fathers are taking on more. The stress and anxiety of taking on multiple roles in the lives of their children from teacher and mentor to coach and TikTok partner while still focusing on a professional career within this pandemic is a lot for anyone to manage.  

Dr. Stephen David Leonard, a veteran pastor, husband, father, and President/CEO of The Leonard Group recently launched a 30-Day Living Inspired Journal as a way to start a community for those looking for an outlet during these unprecedented times. He started his journaling journey through a hardship of his own - while sitting in the pediatric intensive care unit with his son, who has a severe genetic disorder, following complications from scoliosis surgery as the country began feeling the impact of COVID-19.

According to Dr. Leonard, “scientific studies have proven that journaling can be very effective in times like these when a lot of us are dealing with coronavirus anxiety. Journaling can be a great stress reducer through organizing one’s thoughts, clearing one’s mind and facilitating problem-solving while training to think positively”.

When men become depressed, they conceal their feelings and prefer not to seek help. While 67% of women will tell someone if they feel depressed, only 55% of men will confide in someone.  By writing, you put some structure and organization to those anxious feelings. It helps you to get past them.

Today on Connections,  Dr. Leonard will share his personal story, and provide greater context on the proven impacts of journaling and how men can benefit from it in their daily routine.