If you want to work through something that’s bothering you … Try expressive writing. Set aside a few minutes in your day to write about what is keeping you up at night. Pennebaker says this practice will help you acknowledge the big picture and, ultimately, find some clarity—and peace. You might find yourself writing, for example, “‘Why am I so upset about this? How did I get in this situation?’” Pennebaker recommends spending no more than four days writing about the same subject—otherwise, you might find yourself ruminating, or getting stuck. Choose any medium that works best for you: “You can write in a beautiful book or you can write on the back of a paper sack. You can type it. You can talk into a tape recorder. Experiment.” When you’re done, keep it or throw it away. It’s up to you.