How Journaling Can Positively Impact Your Physical HealthWritten by Patti Testerman
According to Journal of American Medical Association, writing about stressful life events helped reduce symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with these chronic illnesses. The effects of writing exercise were still evident four months later and resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in patient symptoms.Interestingly, studies showed that asthma patients who wrote about their most stressful life events showed a 19-percent improvement in lung function; similarly, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 28-percent reduction in symptoms. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that links mental and emotional health to physical well-being. Although researchers aren’t sure exactly how expressive writing can lead to health improvements, they theorize that writing help people cope with stress, and stress—as well all know—clearly impacts health.
| | Journaling for Health: Five Techniques for WellnessWritten by Patti Testerman
1. Write about how you feel about everyday events; writing about events is fine, but be sure to include feelings. The goal is to get intense emotions on paper and out of your body/mind.2. Write about issues that are most impacting your life today, particularly any health concerns. 3. Make a list of everything causing you stress—which can lead to ill-health, then note what you can (or cannot) do about each item. 4. If you can’t get an event out of your mind—like an unpleasant conversation with a co-worker—write what you wish conversation had unfolded, in dialogue form.
|
