Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life

Looking for the best wellness journal? We review 4 incredible journals that can help you increase quality of life.

An image of a phone on top of a journal - it is an image for the article "Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life"

Wellness isn’t just about drinking more water or going out for the occasional run. It’s about being mindful - about tuning your headspace, your habits, and your overall well-being. And one of the most underrated ways to do that? A wellness journal app. 

These apps aren’t just digital diaries. They’re tools that help you slow down, reflect, and track what truly matters - from your sleep to your stress levels to your daily wins. 

In this guide, we’ll look at four top-rated wellness journals that are simple, powerful, and genuinely life-improving. 


Best Wellness Journal at a Glance

App NameFeaturesPrice

NotePlan

Wellness journaling + daily planning

Free trial, then $8.33/month ($99 billed annually)

Daylio

Mood & habit tracking

Free with different premium plans, starting at $4.99/month

Reflectly

AI-powered mood journaling

Free basic plan, with premium plans starting at $4.99/month

Journey

Guided journaling & wellness goals

$4.17/month (billed annually)

NotePlan - Best Overall Wellness Journal

A screenshot of the NotePlan app - it is an image for the article "Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life"

NotePlan is one of the best digital journaling tools for people who want to blend mindfulness with everyday tasks and chores, keeping everything together. 

It lets you create a daily wellness journal while also keeping track of your to-dos, routines, and goals. You can jot down morning reflections, track healthy habits, and write gratitude notes - all right alongside your daily calendar. 

Its clean layout and markdown note system make it feel organized, while the task and calendar integration means you’ll never lose sight of your goals - mental, physical, or otherwise. 


Key Features:

  • Daily journaling, notes, and habit tracking in one
  • Markdown support for rich-text and checklist entries
  • Calendar + task views help balance wellness and productivity
  • Bi-directional linking to connect ideas, entries, or themes
  • Fully private & syncs across your Apple devices


Pricing: Free trial, then $8.33/month ($99 billed annually)

What Users on Reddit Say About NotePlan

NotePlan on iPad Overview on YouTube

Daylio - Best Wellness Journal for Mood and Habit Tracking

A screenshot of the Daylio app - it is an image for the article "Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life"

Daylio is simple, effective, and surprisingly fun. Instead of typing out full entries or coming up with your own wellness journal ideas, you log your mood with just a tap and add icons for your activities - think meditation, working out, socializing, or reading. 

Over time, you get clean graphs that show how your habits impact your mood, helping you build a more mindful lifestyle. It’s a great fit for those who don’t have time to write long-form journal entries/prefer bullet journals but still want to track and reflect. 


Key Features:

  • Mood tracking with quick tap inputs
  • Daily activity logging with customizable icons
  • Stats and trends that connect habits to emotions
  • Set wellness goals and track progress
  • Private and PIN-protected

Pricing: Free with different premium plans, starting at $4.99/month

Reflectly - Best Wellness Journal for AI-Powered Mood Journaling

A screenshot of the Refectly app - it is an image for the article "Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life"

Reflectly is a sleek, modern journal that feels like talking to a friendly chatbot. It uses AI prompts to guide your daily reflections and asks thought-provoking questions designed to improve mental clarity and emotional health. 

Each day you answer a few questions about your mood and what happened, and the app gently nudges you toward patterns and insights. It’s great for self-awareness and building a better emotional toolkit. 


Key Features:

  • AI-powered journaling prompts tailored to your mindset
  • Mood tracking with reflection insights
  • Beautiful, minimal interface
  • Daily reminders to build a consistent routine
  • Built-in gratitude journal feature


Pricing: Free basic plan, with premium plans starting at $4.99/month

Journey - Best Wellness Journal for Guided Journaling & Wellness Goals

A screenshot of the Journey app - it is an image for the article "Wellness Journal: Top 4 Journals That Improve Quality of Life"

Journey is designed to support both your mental and emotional health through structured journaling. It offers guided templates for stress, gratitude, fitness, personal growth, and more. 

With cloud sync, beautiful themes, and motivational quotes, Journey makes wellness journaling feel intentional and inspiring - not like another task on your to-do list. 


Key Features:

  • Guided journal prompts across multiple wellness topics
  • Syncs across iOS, Android, and web
  • Add photos, videos, or location to entries
  • Cloud backup and passcode protection
  • Daily reminders and positive affirmations

Pricing: $4.17/month (billed annually)

Final Thoughts

Wellness journaling isn’t just about writing - it’s about checking in with yourself. These four apps offer different styles of reflection: NotePlan is an all-in-one journal, Daylio makes journaling visual and effortless, Reflectly gives you a guided approach, and Journey offers structure and support. 

Whichever you choose, the key is consistency. Start small. Log your mood. Write a sentence. Set one goal. And over time, these little reflections can lead to massive improvements in how you feel - and how you live. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Do You Write in a Wellness Journal?

Some of the things you can write in a wellness journal include daily affirmations, gratitude statements, and positive self-talk. 

Is a Wellness Journal Worth it?

Yes, a wellness journal is worth it. Done constantly, wellness journaling can improve quality of life and increase happiness. 

What is a Wellness Journal?

A wellness journal is a journal with the purpose of improving wellness and quality of life. 

Can one app really replace your entire productivity stack?

NotePlan did. Try NotePlan free for 7 days to learn how