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Mind/Body Awareness Writing Exercises
What Is Journaling?
Journaling is the process of writing about our experiences, thoughts, and feelings. One way to promote health is to write about times in our lives that were stressful, difficult, tense, or traumatic. It provides an avenue for the expression of thoughts and memories that may have been internalized (kept inside), worsening physical symptoms. William Boyd, a pathologist at the turn of the 20th century, describes this process well, “The sorrow that hath no vent in tears, may make other organs weep.” Writing is one type of therapy that can be used to aid this process.
How Does It Work?
Studies have found that if we express feelings about a time in our lives that was very traumatic or stressful, our immune function strengthens, we become more relaxed, and our health may improve. Writing about these processes helps us organize our thoughts and create closure to an event that the mind tends to suppress or hide—often resulting in physical symptoms.
Does Anybody Need to Read It?
No one needs to read what you write! You can throw what you write away if desired. In fact, burning or destroying the writing can ceremonially bring closure to a difficult time in your life. Some people prefer to keep their writings to look back on and see how they have grown from the events.
Are There Any Side Effects or Things I Should Be Aware Of?
Recalling stressful memories can make you feel uncomfortable for a few days. If this were not the case, the body would not use so much energy trying to repress them. The benefits from journaling become most apparent weeks to months after writing. For some people this process can bring back to mind some unpleasant or painful events that may need the help of a licensed counselor. Please notify your medical provider if you develop feelings that would benefit from further discussion. This is often the first step in promoting healing from within.
This page was adapted from a chapter on journaling by David Rakel, MD, in Rakel, DP (Ed.) Integrative Medicine, 2nd Ed., Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, 2007.