Journaling has been widely lauded for its perceived therapeutic benefits – but now, there is even mounting clinical data pointing to the empirical efficacy of journaling for improved physical health, as well! By stimulating healthy expression of thoughts and emotions, keeping a regular journal is a highly therapeutic and physically healing practice, especially when other forms of expression and emotional regulation are not readily available.
What exactly is it about journaling that enhances brain health so thoroughly as to create lasting improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health as well?
Linguistic Acuity
Regularly reading and writing naturally strengthens one's vocabulary. Being one of the main indications of a high IQ, a boosted vocabulary is incredibly helpful for sharpening one's intellect overall. Journaling puts a unique demand on the linguistic areas of the brain as one searches for the most meaningful language to describe the impact of the experience being recalled.
Just as the word "red" can hardly compare to the descriptive richness of the words "maroon," "crimson," "rose," and so on, the vocabulary used in journaling is often more nuanced and evocative of the subjective meanings experienced in even regular daily events. Overall, language skills are extremely useful for improving both creativity and analytical mental processes.
Journaling Improved Memory
In addition to improving the articulation of one's thoughts, journaling improves memory and past recall. It sharpens the ability to focus when clarifying memories and interpreting them in the context of one's experiential life. What happened? Who was there? How did the events fit into or alter the course of one's day? Turning past events over in mind is helpful because it will also improve the ability to remember important details later on in the future.
Releasing Tension
Writing helps to offload some of the huge amounts of information the modern mind is bombarded with on a daily basis. According to somatic therapists (those that study the mind-body connection), regular thinking and emotional patterns are strongly correlated with how the body stores physical tensions, and they need to be released. By clarifying the most incessant thinking patterns, it becomes easier to identify what occupies the majority of one's thoughts. Such subjects typically escape notice until they are spelled out and expressed, at which point they cease to hold as much power to dominate one's mindset and feelings.
As stated more clinically, a marked decrease in anxiety is a common finding of the effects of journaling. By reducing cortisol, journaling reduces stress and allows the brain to function free of distraction and energy-draining stress hormones.
Better Moods
One of the most important benefits of journaling is its ability to regulate emotions and even create more joy, especially through the practice of "gratitude journaling." This is even one of the main brain health recommendations from preeminent brain researcher Dr. Daniel Amen. According to Dr. Amen, reflecting upon what one is most grateful for and then writing it down can almost instantly induce a state of happiness.
This is no flight of fancy. As trauma researchers have long known, repressed memories and unexpressed emotions often contribute to a worsening of physical conditions. Whatever the exact mechanism is that makes journaling so useful for mental and emotional health, it proves to be a potent tool for bolstering general health-improvement routines.
The Connection Between Mental & Physical Health
Astonishingly, clinical studies increasingly support the basis of journaling for general improvements to health – suggesting that purely emotional factors drive physical health conditions to at least some degree. The work of the late and beloved Dr. John Sarno, for example, has attracted an extremely loyal fanbase of passionate journaling practitioners who claim that journaling 20 minutes a day has proven instrumental for alleviating chronic pain and physical ailments.
There are even peer-reviewed clinical studies now supporting these assertions with statistical data (see also here). The idea that the "placebo effect" is one of the most potent medicines available could very well be more true than not.
Words That Bond Us
For any who have lost track of time getting pleasantly absorbed into their elders' stories, the power of the word is a true marvel and one of humanity's most precious gifts. By telling one's story, even in total privacy, it's possible to reap these life-affirming benefits for better brain health and beyond.
Sometimes, the same healing effects can be felt by sharing the stories of our journey with a close, trusted confidant. Senior Helpers' dedicated home care professionals delight in deeply listening to their clients because part of what gives them meaning is nurturing the bonds that only come from dedicated, attentive service. For those seeking a compassionate helping hand in the communities of St. Louis, Ballwin, Fenton, and Arnold, Missouri, contact Senior Helpers today – because everyone needs a place to share what's given them meaning in life.