According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, writing about stressful life events helped reduce symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with these chronic illnesses. The effects of the writing exercise were still evident four months later and resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in patient symptoms.
Interestingly, studies showed that asthma patients who wrote about their most stressful life events showed a 19-percent improvement in lung function; similarly, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 28-percent reduction in symptoms.
These findings add to a growing body of evidence that links mental and emotional health to physical well-being. Although researchers aren't sure exactly how expressive writing can lead to health improvements, they theorize that writing help people cope with stress, and stress-as well all know-clearly impacts health.
University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker believes that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. He theorizes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health.
Louise Moran, a nurse coordinator, has written about a patient who, during a serious illness, sent daily e-mails to friends and family about her illness, a practice the woman believes played a pivotal role in her healing process. Moran said another patient felt that journaling helped her create a new life after breast cancer. There have even been studies suggesting that journaling in healthy people actually improves the immune system.
Patti Testerman is content manager at journalgenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Want to discover self-defeating patterns, or find better ways to communicate in a relationship? Check out our site.
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More
As I was saying in my past articles, others have... Read More
A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is "How... Read More
In today's bustling world we are constantly surrounded by media... Read More
What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More
More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More
At the University of Illinois, a new research found that... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
Some of my dieting tips are not conventional. You can... Read More
Frankie saddled up to the bar at the We-Stuff-Em-All Diner,... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More
No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More
With tons of information out there on "Fat Acceptance" does... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
When you truly consider the weight-loss process, the battle waged... Read More
Weight loss is never easy. Although this is stating the... Read More
Research from Harvard, recently published in the highly respected peer-reviewed... Read More
If you've been working out with weights for any length... Read More
You will be surprised to find out how many people... Read More
It all begins with water .... Water makes up 75%... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More
The importance of drinking water is mentioned in almost every... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..If you're like me, you probably wish that there was... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
With weight loss comes a lot of dedication and change... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
Any weight loss or diet plan, including low-carb plans like... Read More
Have you ever decided to take a trip somewhere relatively... Read More
Which diet pill are you currently taking for your weight... Read More
Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to... Read More
In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what... Read More
I am so grateful that you're taking steps to take... Read More
You won't believe what happened to me today!I was getting... Read More
All Diets Are Based on the Same Premise: Eat Less... Read More
In general, fast weight loss is not healthy. The faster... Read More
In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More
The following are diet tips that can help you shape... Read More
Obesity and fast foods - there's little doubt about the... Read More
With obesity and disease increasing dramatically, many fitness experts are... Read More
How to Estimate How Many Calories You Can Have and... Read More
Even if you're not overweight, you still could have a... Read More
First off, let me start by saying this list is... Read More
Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More
"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More
At the University of Illinois, a new research found that... Read More
Recently, a Japanese study showed dramatic results of organ fat... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
Weight Loss |