Writing a diary is a common way of self-expression. It can help us record every moment in our lives and also allow us to talk about our inner feelings. But you may not know that keeping a journal has an unexpected benefit: it can improve our immunity and reduce our risk of getting sick.
This discovery comes from an experiment conducted by University of Texas psychologist Jamie Pennebaker. He invited some volunteers to participate in the experiment and randomly divided them into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The task of the experimental group was to spend 15 minutes every day for four consecutive days to write down their most unforgettable painful experiences and their feelings; the task of the control group was to use these 15 minutes to write whatever they wanted to write.
The results of the experiment were surprising: starting from the fifth day, especially on the sixth and seventh days, the anxiety levels of the experimental group members began to gradually decrease, even dropped below the original level, and remained stable. What’s even more amazing is that one year later, members of the experimental group visited far fewer doctors than the control group. This shows that continuous diary writing can improve our immunity, not only psychological immunity, but also physical immunity. immunity!
So, why does journaling have such an effect? Pennebaker believes it has to do with how we deal with negative emotions. When we encounter difficulties, setbacks, trauma and other unpleasant things, we tend to suppress our emotions and are unwilling to face or share them. While doing so may temporarily prevent pain, it can lead to long-term psychological stress and physical discomfort. And when we express our emotions by writing in a diary, we are equivalent to giving ourselves a chance to release stress and free ourselves from negative emotions. This can not only reduce the psychological burden, but also regulate body functions and enhance the immune system.
Men may benefit more than women from this process. Because in social culture, men are often expected to be strong, rational, calm and other traits, but are not encouraged to express their emotions. Therefore, most men harbor more negative emotions than women. It is relatively easier for women to find someone to talk to and a support system, such as best friends, family members, etc. Therefore, when writing diaries, men may discover more suppressed or ignored emotions and release and regulate them through writing.
In addition to releasing negative emotions, journaling has another benefit: it helps us discover meaning and connections in our lives. When we write in a diary, we subconsciously connect events together to create connections. Things that previously seemed meaningless and inconsequential often reveal themselves to us when we relate them to other events. This can also be called an unintentional act.
In this activity of subconsciously searching for the correlation between different events, we connect some scattered things to form a complete system, which greatly satisfies our pursuit of the meaning and integrity of life and makes us feel that we are With the ability to control and predict life, there is a sense of satisfaction.
Journaling is a simple yet effective way to make us healthier, both physically and mentally. No matter what difficulties you encounter or want to find the meaning of life, you can try to pick up a pen and give yourself a chance to talk and discover. You may be surprised to find that your journal contains endless energy.
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