According to a 2017 American Psychological Stress Survey, 77 percent of Americans regularly experience physical symptoms from stress and 73 percent experience psychological symptoms. There is increasing evidence to support that expressive writing has a positive impact on physical well-being. University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher Dr. James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes.

The act of handwriting versus typing is also advantageous, and Princeton University researcher Dr. Pam Mueller has found that notetaking on a laptop is much less effective for retaining and assimilating information than handwritten notes.

In May 2018, the Greater Good Science Center at University of California, Berkeley, published a white paper, “The Science of Gratitude.” Their research suggests that grateful people may be physically healthier and that keeping a gratitude journal can increase people’s happiness and overall outlook.

Think about silencing the cell phone, turning off the computer and taking pen in hand. Find a quiet place and write for two minutes, 10 minutes or 30 in a special journal. Better yet, consider joining a journal writing workshop or seminar that will allow for writing thoughts privately and discussing insights collectively.

 

Dr. Catherine Chew, with locations in Charlotte and Cornelius, offers WOW! Words of Wisdom Workshops and Seminars at DrCatherineChew.com. Individual consultations are available. For more information, call 980-505-9945.