By Michele S. Jang, PT
Are you familiar with the expression “get something off your chest”? Holding our thoughts and feelings inside can wreak havoc in our lives and can actually negatively affect our health. Sometimes friends and family are not available to talk to. We have, however an access to an easy, affordable tool that can create positive and measurable changes in our physical and mental health: writing!
Recent studies have shown that writing can improve mood disorders and immune function, decrease stress levels and reduce doctor visits. The connection between our mental well-being and physical health has long been evaluated. But, how does this work? Improved health outcomes appear to result from the interpretation of our experiences and understanding our emotions, resulting in less emotional and physical distress. New evidence suggest that writing more specifically about the perceived benefits of traumatic experiences can reap even greater benefits.
Here are some tips to get your started journaling to better health:
Your thoughts should be private, so be sure to store your journal in a protected location.
What you write about matters. Evaluating emotional experiences is superior to writing about superficial topics.
Aim for 15-20 minutes most days of the week. Write quickly without regard for spelling and punctuation.
Re-read your thoughts at a later date. It’s amazing what insights or lessons have been learned.
If you would like to further explore the benefits of journaling and learn more about how to incorporate writing into your healthy lifestyle, please RSVP to attend our free educational evening on Tuesday, April 7th at 6:15 featuring Devin Wallace speaking on “Writing Through the Storm”.
Michele S Jang, PT is a physical therapist who likes to look outside the box. She has been a physical therapist for over 20 years and has extensive training in manual therapy or the use of hands to help rehabilitate the body. Michele has been an instructor both in the United States and abroad. She offers Free Consults on Tuesday afternoons. Michele also has a team of therapists at Spirit Winds who offer an array of expertise on exercise, fall prevention, foot and shoe assessments, body mechanics and proper breathing technique to increase awareness and healing.
Contact us at 805 543-5100 or to RSVP for our upcoming educational evening or to reach Michele.