BECAUSE WRITING IS HEALTHY FOR YOU By Maria Kristina D.

Siuagan, RN With todays age of scientific advancements specifically on computer technology, nothing seems impossible. In the past, getting across a body of valuable information to the general public is considered a painstaking task. Such effort entails reproduction and distribution through media in the form of newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books. Today, faster, low er-cost, and more advanced methodologies are utilized to deliver contents right at anyones fingertips. Thanks to the prevailing era of computers, internet, and mobilized gadgets for making all such ventures possible. One of the most focused areas of the said improvement and breakthrough is centred towards one of the most primitive forms of communication that is writing. At present, everyone could be a writer by his all means and in his own rights. As long as you have something to say, a remarkable and efficient content, hard work, and perseverance, you dont need a gallon of sweat to become one. Want proof? Look at us here at Hubpages. We are all thriving writers who are given fair platforms to flourish as one. We strive to give our articles (or hubs as we call it) up -todate, comprehensive, and fun contents that everyone, including our fellow hubbers, could enjoy very much. As mentioned earlier, anything is possible. So now, are you ready to what youre going to find out next? Here it is: WRITING IS HEALTHY FOR YOU. Yes, you read it right. Whether its freelance writing, blogging, or jotting down on your personal diary or journal, it makes no difference! Your source of income or fondest hobby is one of the worlds easiest cure s and most readily available armor of prevention against health disorders. The benefits of writing have been the focal point of some new scientific researches and studies there is. Although most of them are considered by scientists as speculative, they still think there is a lot of hope and potential in them. One of the most popular health wonders writing could do is its positive implication to stress. As some people would say, Writing (or blogging) keeps the therapist away. It has been found as a beneficial stress-coping mechanism that could reduce the impacts of stress on a persons health and lifestyle. Such finding had become one of the hallmarks of why blogging has taken off drastically over the recent years. As with speaking, writing has been an easy platform for expression of thoughts or even emotional upheavals. In the advent of accessibility and optimization of technology through the internet and social media sites, people could just blog (or ramble) about anything they have gone through encounters, heartbreaks, triumphs, or random insights. FOCUS ON EXPRESSIVE WRITING. Such type of writing has yielded many potential areas for study and testing. Expressive writing, among any other types of writing, engages the participant to write about significant, especially traumatic and emotional, experiences. Due to its great potential for involvement and expression, this kind of writing is being utilized in the clinical setting, particularly in the psychiatric aspects of care. Health care providers should make sure that comprehensive instructions are given prior to starting the expressive writing task.

Example of instructions could be: For the next 5 days, I would like you to write about your deepest thoughts, insights, or feelings regarding the most traumatic experience which made a great impact in your entire life or an emotional event that affected your life in a very remarkable way. Id like you to go deeper in those thoughts pertaining to such experiences and feel free to relate them in any way possible and relevant to any person, relationship, or happening; to your past, present or future states. You may write a different topic each day or stick on the same issues you expressed in all days of writing. You dont have to be mindful of the sentence construction, punctuation or grammar. All you need to do is to begin writing, keep going, and stop when the time is up.

As compared to more superficial and general types of writing, which only involve enumeration of objective details or descriptions, expressive writing is more likely to gain further feedback from the participants. Some of the short-term effects associated with the implementation of such writing task involve, distress, negative physical symptoms, and decreased positive mood. However, its long-term effects include a wide range of health benefits and positive social outcomes which are highlighted in the following list: Fewer stress-related visits to the doctor Reduced blood pressure Improved lung function Improved liver function Fewer days in hospital Improved mood/affect Feeling of greater psychological well-being Reduced depressive symptoms before examinations Fewer post-traumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms Reduced absenteeism from work Quicker re-employment after job loss Improved working memory Improved sporting performance Higher students grade point average Altered social and linguistic behaviour

Expressive writing is also said to be effective in improving sleep, boosting immune cell activity (particularly the T Lymphocytes), and speeding up recovery from surgery. As a matter of fact, patients with AIDS who have engaged in to expressive writing were observed to have reduced viral load in their system. Meanwhile, progress reports were also made on cancer patients regarding the impact of writing on their health and being. Just like those patients suffering from AIDS, they too were given a

chance to engage in expressive writing which yielded remarkable effects. Those who have done writing before undergoing treatment had certain areas of improvement in terms of physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of their being, as compared to those patients who havent. ON WRITING IN GENERAL. The mere act of writing creates a number of new neurological pathways in your brain. Also, it affects how its left and right hemispheres respond. The left brain, known as the center of analytical and rational activities, is stimulated during periods or moments of writing while giving the right brain a free chance to function intuitively and artistically. Its more like using both of them almost at the same time. Thats why writing is said to be a good way to overcome mental blocks. Writing also enhances your brain power and capability, makes you feel good more about yourself, enables you to communicate with your inner being, and yields you peace of mind and self-awareness. In addition to all of these, writing improves and fortifies social tidings as well. Channelling ones frustrations to a certain person or situation into writing, whether by journaling and blogging or creative writing, gives you the necessary outlet to dispel all the negativities occurring alongside them. Those people, who make writing a habit, whether for financial, fun, or reflective purposes, have lower chances of engaging into fights or illmannered disagreements towards others. Writers, bloggers, journal-keepers, and others who indulge in to perpetual act of writing know all these benefits by heart. They are the living testimonies of such wonders. Start now and see it yourself. Share this little piece of information to your friends, family, and loved ones. And wh en they ask you Why should I? you would know exactly what to answer Because writing is healthy for you.

Copyright by Maria Kristina D. Siuagan