Day 205: One thing I learned today…
Individuals who talk about or even write about traumatic life circumstances tend to have increased health habits/markers after doing so.
Dr. Pennebaker interviewed Holocaust survivors and found those who went into extreme detail with their interview seemed to benefit the most even 12 months later. They also reported going to the doctor at double the rate of those that did not share much detail.
After hearing each story, Dr. Pennebaker also decided to write about his experience as the interviewer. This helped him tremendously.
He then decided to conduct an experiment with college students on campus. They were asked to write about traumatic experiences. The experiment found similar findings as well.
We typically try to avoid thinking about “bad stuff”. But by putting it into words on paper, it forces processing and structure. It helps us organize the experience. You can then make sense and grow from the experience.
Source:
The Happiness Lab Season 1 episode 6: Don’t Think of the White Bear
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Opening up: The healing power of expressing emotions. Guilford Press
Pennebaker, J. W., Barger, S. D., & Tiebout, J. (1989). Disclosure of traumas and health among Holocaust survivors. Psychosomatic medicine.
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