how to close an open wound

 

 

Numerous studies have documented the positive effect of writing--aka, storytelling--on both psychological and physical healing. Studies that look at the physiological correlates of writing demonstrate improvement in parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns, and the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol in patients who are encouraged to write deeply about their thoughts and feelings. Surveys of subjective measures including quality of life assessments, cognitive functioning, and relaxation also emphasize the benefits of writing as a healing practice.

"Writing is medicine.

It is an appropriate antidote

to injury."

~Julia Cameron

Several studies actually demonstrate that writing promotes physical healing, such as wound closure. In one such study, half of the participants were assigned to write daily about a deeply traumatizing event in their lives including their thoughts and feelings about it. The other half was assigned to write about their plans for the next day but not their thoughts or feelings about them. Then, small biopsies of the skin were taken, leaving a tiny open wound. The group who wrote deeply about a traumatizing event healed more quickly than the group that wrote about a neutral topic.

"As the number of studies increased, 

it became clear that writing 

was a far more powerful tool for healing

than anyone had ever imagined."

~James W. Pennebaker~ 



Imagine a new drug or procedure that could make that same claim. Clinicians would jump at the opportunity to offer it to their patients.

 

So...why not storytelling?

 

"While you're working on your book,

your book is working on you."

~Nancy Erickson~

jan