Writing for Emotional Healing and Well-being

I’ve long been interested in the healing benefits of writing, and frequently recommend journaling exercises for clients. Over the years I’ve also tracked research that provides support that expressive writing is therapeutic. This month in Scientific American Mind (August/September 2007) an article titled The Power of the Pen reviews findings to-date, and provides summary information and tips on how to get the most benefit from writing.

  Some tips for getting the most benefit from expressive writing include:

• Focus on 3 questions when writing about painful experiences:
  1. What happened
  2. How did you feel about what happened
  3. Why did you feel that way
• Delve into your deepest feelings to feel better physically and mentally
• Write about something bothering you that you’re not willing to discuss with others
• Retell your experience or describe a problem, which leads to a different perspective, rather than just pondering, which can lead to becoming lost in painful emotions
• Don’t censure your writing by worrying about grammar, sentence structure, or repeating yourself

There have been some unexpected findings as well, including:

• Don’t try to find hidden meaning in experiences, as that can do more harm than good
• Don’t write extensively about good memories as that can lessen positive feelings
• Do write short notes about what you’re thankful for, as this may result in more good moods and more positive social interactions

To read the entire article online, go to: Scientific American Mind: The Power of the Pen

Writing is not always easy. It is often emotionally painful, and there can be a reluctance or resistance to sitting down and writing. However, if these difficulties can be put aside, expressive writing done in the right ways may be as beneficial as psychological interventions. If you have questions about journaling as a tool for dealing with challenges in your life, you can contact me at 720-363-5538.