Asides from the fact that I studied English which automatically depicts that I am a professional in writing. It has come to my attention that, the effect of expressive writing has proven to be evident in healing of both negative and positive experiences. From a personal experience, people have been through certain damaging psychological experience or emotional trauma that they find means to relieve themselves as such occurrences reflects in their daily lives.
Writing is a therapy I would recommend any day to deep thinking. Deep thinking brings about an immunological effect of thought suppression which is detrimental to human health. Thus, writing of experiences strengthens the mind through means of therapy with the use of journals, diaries, logs, questionnaire and so on.
It is said that the the pen is mightier than a sword ", I could not agree less. This metonymic adage by Edward Bulwer Lyton depicts the fact that the written word is more effective than violence and has more positive influence.
For instance, several professional writers have written their life experiences in books as a means to communicate their life ordeals to the public as therapeutic means to heal themselves. An example of this is Bassey Ikpi's memoir "I'm telling the truth but I'm lying" . She was diagnosed of mental health, bipolar II and anxiety. She used this work to bare her own truth and lies for us all to behold with radical honesty and brutal intimacy.
From the foregoing, writing has helped people to relay issues concerning experiences of child abuse, rape, love, career success and so on.
Common in Africa, certain authors have used writing to explore how western civilization has disrupted and demoralized our traditional culture, heritage and ways of life. A means to use writing to heal the land and proffer possible solutions.
You will agree with me that every human being is susceptible to writing at one point in their lifetime, just as a research by Dr. Pennebaker and Toshual Smyth PhD suggests that writing about emotions can boost immune functioning in patients with Hiv/Aids, asthma and arthritis.
Thus, effective writing include several means such as:
- Getting a journal, diary or note pad for writing
- Implement quality time, must not be an everyday thing, at least three to four times a week
- Find a place that is right or suitable for you to write, as the environment can affect how you feel.
- Do not retouch or edit anything, write exactly as you feel
- Re-read and reflect.
Trust me, there is a feeling of personal growth, improved immune system functioning. Try this method if you are undergoing stressor difficult moments. It worked and still works for me. It could work for you also. Words have power. 👌
I remember seeing my dad's journal from way back in the 1990's. I saw circumstances surrounding my birth like time of delivery, hours of contractions, night activities and so on. One cannot under estimate the power of writing.