You don’t have to be a passive victim, when it comes to the stress or trauma in your life. As an example, today I woke up feeling stressed. Per my daily habit, I got out of bed and sat down in the living room. I picked up my journal, and started to write how I was feeling. (I do this as a form of prayer) As usual, I started to feel better.
When I was in medical school, a single lecture from a psychiatrist really impacted me. He worked by phone with depressed or anxious patients who lived in remote areas. (No Skype or Zoom back then)
“I give every patient two primary prescriptions,” he told us. “Walk every day. Journal every day. You’d be amazed by how much these two activities help one’s mental health.”
I never forgot it.
I’ve always found journaling to be enjoyable and therapeutic. It’s a profoundly helpful window into the behind-the-scenes workings of my mind, heart, and life. I recommend it to almost all my patients and coaching clients, particularly if they’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
Recently, I came across the landmark research of James Pennebaker. In the 1980’s, he discovered a link between “expressive writing” — writing for 15-20 minutes at a time, over several days, about a past traumatic event, or secret concerns — and measurable improvements in immune system function. Doctor visits also decreased. These results have been replicated in patients with a variety of conditions, including asthma, arthritis, breast cancer, and HIV.
Subsequent studies found that when people did similar short-term writing interventions, wounds on their skin healed significantly faster. Incredible. (For an autobiographical summary of his research over time, read this 2017 article from Pennebaker in Perspectives on Psychological Science.)
Some helpful facts have emerged from the research of Pennebaker and others, as understanding of this phenomenon has grown:
1. Don’t suppress your thoughts and emotions related to traumatic experiences. Pushing down or denying what happened to you isn’t helpful. Research has shown that suppressing related thoughts and feelings can compromise your immune function.
2. It’s not just venting. People who focus exclusively on venting negative emotions might experience worsening health. (Ullrich and Lutgendorf discuss that effect in the 2002 Annals of Behavioral Medicine) To experience the health benefits of expressive writing or journaling, you need another ingredient.
3. Seek to interpret your experience as you write about it. Pennebaker discovered a writing pattern that predicted improved health: Those who started out using a lot of “I” references, but then shifted to more words like “because,” “realize,” or “understand”, saw more benefits from writing. These words indicated that the writer was actively interpreting what had happened to them.
As most clinicians know, it isn’t helpful to repeat the same negative narrative, over and over. Processing a stressful experience, and incorporating it into the overarching narrative of your life, is key. This is thought to reduce stress, the key factor in producing health benefits.
4. Make lemonade out of life’s lemons. Lutgendorf notes that people who are able to find positive meaning in traumatic events enjoy better health than those missing this perspective.
It doesn’t mean that what happened was good. It may have been truly awful. Still, it’s well established that those who experience trauma and adversity often become stronger and more resilient. If you train yourself to watch for the positive that emerges out of negative (or even devastating) events, it positively impacts your mind and body.
When you’re processing something particularly intense or traumatic, it’s wise to have qualified, therapeutic support on hand. This article isn’t meant to replace the advice of your doctor, psychologist, or counselling professional. Seek their advice first.
Many of us spend our days running from one thing to another, without taking time to reflect on or process what’s going on inside (or around) us. A regular journaling practice can be helpful and grounding. It doesn’t have to take long: Even just a few minutes a day (or whenever you’re feeling stressed) can be helpful.
More on how to process your stress: Tips to Calm a Worried Mind and Reduce Anxiety
Susan, thank you for this article. I just shared it with my cousin. My cousin had breast cancer in the past, and I think she struggles to process her emotions and feelings. I have encouraged her to journal on numerous occasions, and I think this article will be good for her. Further, I love the tip to walk and journal for better mental health. It’s simple and true. I plan to adopt these as daily practices for myself, so thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much, Angela! I hope that your cousin finds it helpful, going through the experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment can be a very frightening and unpleasant experience. Here’s to the power of journaling and walking, I LOVE to do both.
Reading this has made me want to begin journaling, the past almost three years of my life, has been very difficult. My twenty seven year old Grandson committed suicide and the same month I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My life changed dramatically with the two events that I mentioned and it will never be the same. I use to write all the time, but I gave up thinking to myself that no one really cares about what I have to say. I’m just not sure how to approach the two subjects, but I will give it my best.
Hello Kristine, I apologize that I missed seeing your comment until now. I’m so sorry for all that you have been through. Writing can be very healing, and I imagine that you would benefit from professional counseling support as well, or support groups for people who have been affected by cancer or suicide. Sending you a big hug.
I am interested in learning how to go about dealing with traumatic memories and feelings.
Hi Marilyn,
Sorry for my delay in responding…there are psychologists out there who are specially trained in trauma who can help a lot (and it doesn’t necessarily take a long period of time, with treatments like EMDR). I hope you can find the right person to help you!
Had I NOT being writing about my life and what was happening, I might not have finally found the answers I needed as quickly. Going back and reading what I wrote about and during my marriage, showed me a pattern. The pattern produced a clear picture. The picture showed me what was real and what was not, and what I needed to do. We get busy and often forget things that are very important about ourselves. If we don’t really know about our selves, how can we ever expect to know anyone?
Hi Colleen, there is much wisdom in your comment! Thank goodness for journaling…