Write To Heal

A Great Idea …

“Simply writing about a trauma-such as the death of a loved one or a physical assault-can lead to surprising improvements in both subjective well-being and physical health. What’s more, the people who experience the greatest benefit from these writing exercises are those whose writing contains an explanation of the trauma.” (Professor of psychology, Daniel Gilbert, in his book, Stumbling on Happiness, pp. 186-187)

In Other Words …

Making meaning of events is good for our souls. When things happen in our lives without explanation, our minds tend to dwell on the mystery of the events. When we find explanations for things, our minds are better able to heal and file the events away.

How this Applies to You …

When you are dealing with challenging events in your life, set aside time to write about them. Try to make sense of your experience. See if you can understand the motivation of others in your story. As you come up with understanding, you are likely to feel more peaceful.

To Find Out More …

For more great ideas (or to share your ideas), check out our Navigating Life’s Journey blog

For excellent (and free!) programs on improving your personal well being, check out The Personal Journey and Managing Stress at www.arfamilies.org.

For more information, we recommend Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert.

Author: H. Wallace Goddard

Wally Goddard is a retired professor of Family Life having served in Arkansas and Alabama. He developed programs on personal well-being, marriage, and parenting. He is well known for his many creative family programs, including The Marriage Garden, The Parenting Journey, and Blueprint for Happiness. Wally has authored or co-authored several books including Between Parent and Child, The Soft-Spoken Parent, and Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage. He has been recognized by his colleagues with several awards including the Outstanding Family Life Educator Award. Wally and his wife, Nancy, have three adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and have cared for many foster children over the years. Wally describes Nancy as the finest human being he has ever known. View all posts by H. Wallace Goddard