Writing: Physical and Emotional Health Benefits
Photo by Caitlinator on Flickr
“Writing eases my suffering. When you use words, you’re able to keep your mind alive. Writing is my way of reaffirming my own existence.” Gao Xingjian
Individuals all over the world engage in some type of writing every single day. Whether you’re writing an article to promote your site, a note to let your spouse know you’ll be home early or a letter to a family member out of state.
When is the last time that you wrote something simply because you wanted to – or because there was no real reason?
I keep a journal and although I don’t write every single day, I usually put something down in it at least 3 times a week. Some people would consider this a waste of time – an hour that could be spent doing something more productive.
However, according to studies this hour could be very important for both my physical and emotional health!
When you write about events in your life that are upsetting, wonderful, depressing, exciting, etc. – you are expressing yourself. You’re utilizing a great outlet to drain the negativity and record the positive things that happen to you. Rather than suppressing those important emotions, you allow them to be expressed through writing.
Reducing Stress and Physical Health Benefits of Writing –
Stress is a dangerous thing, yet it’s something that most of us deal with on a daily basis. When stress is allowed to get out of control, serious health problems can develop. Stress has been proven to increase an individual’s risk of anxiety, depression, heart attack, obesity and other chronic health diseases. When that stress is vented regularly through writing, it isn’t permitted to build up and cause these problems.
By just writing for 5 to 10 minutes each day about things that may have angered or saddened you during the day, you can get rid of that dangerous stress buildup. Hey – that’s a pretty cheap and easy way to take care of your health!
Recognizing Patterns in Your Feelings and Making Changes Based on Those Patterns –
Keeping a journal or engaging in regular writing can give you a key to your own personality, moods, feelings and emotions. As you read back over past entries in your journal, you’re able to detect patterns within your own emotions and personality that you may not ever find otherwise. By first detecting these patterns in your writing, you can make positive changes which will affect your life for the better.
In a study designed by Dr. James Pennebaker of the University of Texas at Austin, students who suffered from depression were instructed to engage in expressive writing. Another group of students who suffered from depression were instructed to write about everyday events or things. The group of students who engaged in expressive writing reported improved moods, and a better overall sense of wellbeing.
The Challenge: Write everyday in a journal for 5 to 10 minutes. Write about the things that make you feel angry, depressed, and ecstatic – any thing that triggers emotions. Don’t worry about what you write because this is only for your eyes. Spending just a few minutes each day can have an enormous effect on your health – both physical and emotional. Writing for health…priceless!
