Why Write? How Writing Heals

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Why Write? How Writing Heals

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Learn how you can heal your life through journaling.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2009-06-03 15:00:00

Written By: Rochelle Melander

Copyright: 2009

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Why Write? How Writing Heals

Copyright © 2009 Rochelle Melander

Right Now! Coach

http://www.rightnowcoach.com

You've no doubt heard the famous quote, " The pen is mightier

than the sword. " ( Bulwer-Lytton). What you may not know

is that the pen also trumps medication and the therapist's

couch. The practice of writing can heal you both physically and

emotionally.

Writing Heals Your Body. In a study conducted with asthma

patients at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, School

of Medicine, study participants wrote about their most stressful

experiences. The control group wrote about their daily

activities. According to the book Asthma Free in 21 Days, 47

percent of the patients who wrote about their challenging life

experiences showed improvement in lung function that could not be

attributed to medication or other factors. 24 percent of the

control group showed improvement as well. (See Shafer and

Greenfield, Asthma Free in 21 Days, p. 139) Notice this: both

groups improved their lung function through writing.

Writing Heals Your Heart. Research by psychologist

Pennebaker has shown that people who used writing to make sense

of their traumatic life experiences had the long-lasting effect

of feeling happier and less anxious. He asked his subjects to

write for fifteen ...minutes a day on four consecutive days. Half

of the group members wrote about a difficult or traumatic event

in their lives. The other half of the group, the control group,

was asked to write about their day or to ...describe their living

environment. A year later, he examined the subject's medical

records. The people who wrote about their difficult experiences

were healthier than the others. What made the difference?

According to Pennebaker, it was the meaning-making that mattered.

The people who showed increased insight into their difficult

situation during the four days stayed healthier than those who

simply wrote about their feelings or the color of their carpet.

Writing Helps You Achieve Your Goals. In a study by psychologist

King, people who wrote about their best possible future

selves showed an immediate increase in mood and, after five

months, a decrease in illness. In addition, this writing work

improved their ability to take control of behavior and make good

changes! Writers were better able to set and achieve their goals.

How Do You Tap Into The Healing Power Of Writing? You write. All

of the studies suggest that any kind of writing will improve your

health and sense of wellbeing. I encourage all of my clients to

do three pages of journaling a day. Maybe you're one of those

people who have always wanted to journal but when you open a

blank book your mind goes blank, too. Here are some ways to get

started:

1. Fill in the blank. Choose one of the sentences below to

complete. List your statements as rapidly as possible.

* If I told the truth, I'd say ...

* I deeply desire to ...

* I need to ...

* I want to let go of ...

* I am thankful for ...

2. Write about five difficult things that happened in your

life....

* Why do you think they happened?...

* What effects did these events have on your life?...

* What do you know now that you didn't know before these events

....happened?...

* What meaning might you derive from these events?......

3. Write about five good things that have happened in your

life....

* Why do you think they happened?...

* What effects did these events have on your life?...

* What do you know now that you didn't know before these events

....happened?...

* What meaning might you derive from these events?

4. Gratitude Journal. In her book Simple Abundance, Ban

Breathnach encouraged her readers to use a gratitude journal.

Find a beautiful journal and each night record five items for

which you are thankful. As a twist, do this with your partner or

children. Every few months, I take out a journal and write down

five things I am grateful for about my husband. Then I slip it

under his pillow or on his desk. A few days later, I get it back

with a new list from him.

5. Vision Quest. Ghandi said, " Become the change you want to see

in the world. " I say, " Write the change you want to see in your

life! " Each day, write a description of what your life looks

like when it reflects your dreams.

Whatever you write, know that it will heal your body and heart.

Don't ever worry about what you're going to write. Write fast

and carelessly every day. Forget all the rules. Forget that you

are not supposed to write about certain things. Forget what your

English teacher told you about the right way to write. Just get

down your observations, feelings, and ideas. Don't write about

anything boring to you—that's a sign that you are telling lies,

writing to please others and not yourself. When you get stuck,

ask yourself Ueland's very helpful question: " What in

thunder do you want to say? " Then say it.

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Right Now! Coach Rochelle Melander supports people in writing

to transform their lives and businesses. If you're ready to

establish credibility, make more money, and market your work

by writing a book, blog, or Web site, get your free subscription

to her Write Now! Tips Ezine at http://www.rightnowcoach.com