More Research on Medical Benefits of Expressive Writing

The article lined is entitled “Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing” by Karen A. Baikie and Kay Wilhelm is one of the most comprehensive ones I’ve read.

Here are just a few of the longer term benefits which seem pretty extensive for something that only takes 45 minutes to 2 hours total.

• Improved immune system functioning

• Reduced blood pressure

• Improved lung function

• Improved liver function

• Improved mood/affect

• Reduced depressive symptoms before examinations

• Fewer post-traumatic intrusion and avoidance symptoms

• Reduced absenteeism from work

• Improved working memory

• Improved sporting performance

• Higher students’ grade point average

There are other benefits as well but this is a pretty incredible list for writing without stopping, with emotion and without regard for punctuation and grammar  3 to 5 times for 15 to 20 minutes several days in a row recording  deepest thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event.

People can stop if they want or need to if the material is too painful or difficult or can write longer than 15 to 20 minutes if they wish.

That’s it.

No pills. No doctors. No fancy equipment.

Yay writing.