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.
1 reply on “Write To Heal”
Thanks for sharing so much with your readers, Wally. Especially the challenges you’ve faced in your own life. You have a lot of fans! Nancy in Minneapolis