“Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.”
Writing has been something customary for students – something you detest and yet have to do to score grades. But have you ever thought of writing as a medicine? Possibly not. I hadn’t either. But as time added more years to my wisdom, I came to realise the importance of writing and how it can help us deal with problems.
Even as the pandemic has turned our mental health into ruins, writing has shown its amazing impact on removing that saturnine cloud that hovers over us. Yes, even research has proven so. More than 200 studies have shown how writing has a positive effect on mental health.
Researchers have found several techniques one can use while writing to reduce anxiety and improve mental health. Let’s dig deep into them, shall we?
Writing Techniques That Can Improve
It is necessary to know the various techniques to improve your mental health. The following techniques have proved to be effective in terms of dealing with mental health problems:
- An effective mindfulness technique
Research conducted by Cambridge University Press proved that writing for just 20 minutes every day could help you improve your mental health. In addition, it also teaches you to be in the moment and acknowledge your feelings. The mindfulness technique is all about helping people know how to pause and focus on things happening at a particular point in time.
Students have always been victims of less concentration and have always failed to write assignments independently. Practising mindfulness techniques will help you overcome problems with concentration. As a result, you will be able to write your papers with full concentration and complete them on time. It will also help you overcome stress and anxiety.
- Exercise for emotional intelligence
Writing can control your depression. Not necessarily academic writing, of course. But writing on things you like can get your mind diverted from the present situation. Another emotion that is common among everyone is getting annoyed. You can write about the things that got you annoyed in the first place. Pause and understand what went wrong, and cope with the situation.
You might feel these things don’t work, but trust me, writing can help you overcome tough mental health conditions. Getting depressed or annoyed is common, but coping with them is necessary. In addition, emotional intelligence will have a major role to play in your career. Hence, start writing and improve your emotional intelligence for a better future.
- Clearing your head
It isn’t easy to cope with too many things at the same time. Thoughts and feelings might overfill your head. What to do at that time? Write down what you feel. We sometimes get angry with ourselves yet fail to express it to others. Writing will allow you to express yourself and evaluate what went wrong.
Confronting yourself is not easy. But writing things down in a personal diary or a journal will be helpful. Psychologist Diane Barth L.C.S.W claimed that having a journal is good to help you clean your mind. Evaluating yourself is necessary to cope with various situations and come out of difficult situations. You will find peace and understand what went wrong once you start writing.
If you believe in the saying, “Pen is mightier than the sword,”you cannot deny whatever has been discussed. Also, researchers from reputed institutions have proved how writing can improve your mental health.
Students must understand that writing is not restricted to their assignments; it has a wider perspective. Let’s analyse the subject more and understand the three types of writing that can improve self-awareness and, consequently, your mental health.
Writing to Improve Self-Awareness
Are you excited to know the types of writing that can help you in the process of improving mental health? Let’s get started write my assignment:
Expressive writing
Doctors often ask their patients to write what they feel. Expressive writing is a therapy that can ease your stress and mental worries. Various researchers have proved that this type of writing can improve self-awareness and help you cope with depression, anxiety and stress.
Reflective writing
Getting criticised by peers is common in professional settings. But have you ever tried asking yourself the reasons for such criticisms? Most of you haven’t. It is common human psychology to think that the one criticising you is wrong. Instead of justifying your wrongdoings, try using reflective writing to understand your weaknesses and work on them for a better future.
Creative writing
Creative writing can help you cope with difficult situations. Try writing down what you feel using various literary techniques. It will help you get a different perspective on a situation and cope with it. If you read poems or short stories, you will see how the author or the poet has communicated their inner feelings using literary techniques.
Writing is a way to communicate with others, and one needs to understand it well. Don’t look at writing as a complicated process. Instead, write what you feel or about feelings that are difficult to communicate verbally. It will help you recover from depression, stress and anxiety.
Final thoughts,
Writing has given me a medium to reach out to people. So, if you ask me if writing is the best medicine to improve mental health, I will definitely say a “yes.” However, I understand that most of you look at writing from a different perspective and refrain from the process citing various reasons. Students must understand that writing is not restricted to assignments and start writing for themselves. Professionals have a lot of things going on every day. Try writing whatever is going on in your life daily and see the difference.
Author Bio: Steve Bevan is a well-known academician and freelance blogger. He is associated with Essayassignmenthelp.com.au as an term paper help expert. He helps students understand various technical terms and helps them learn the lessons well.
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