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Learn how expressive writing can help you cope with stress. If you are the type of person that bottles everything up inside you will eventually explode. Everyone needs an outlet to vent their frustrations once in a while.
Many of us don't like to talk about how we feel as it's just not who we are. It doesn't matter why we don't like to talk, sometimes we just have to accept that's the way we are. If you can't express your thoughts and feelings to others you might be able to express them to yourself.
If you are uncomfortable about writing to express yourself you could always try a little creative writing instead. This will still help you to escape but you will be writing just for fun rather than exploring the reasons for your stress.
The following article will show you how to write to express yourself, there is no need to worry about spelling or grammar. Write in the first person as you are expressing how you feel. By writing 'I feel...' or 'I want...' then you are addressing yourself and this will make your writing have far more impact on you and the way you feel. Try writing down how you feel in a private notebook. No one else has to see this you can hide it from prying eyes, you don't even have to read what you have written. |
If you feel really self conscious about writing down your thoughts you
can throw them away, shred them or burn them as long as you do so
safely.
The act of writing down how you feel will get the thoughts
out of your head and onto paper. Often by writing things down it makes
it a lot easier to make sense of your thoughts.
Just write about how you feel, if you have been given a tough assignment at work, school or college. Just write something like 'I can't do this' over and over. If you are still writing 'I can't do this' when you get half way down the page stop and start writing down why you can't do it. Expressive writing is a way of getting you to step back and really discover how you really feel about something. |
You can do the same exercise for a lot of the situations that cause stress.
This exercise can be done no matter what is causing your stress.
Now imagine that it's your closest friend that has this problem what would you advise them to do.
Do anything to get out of the 'I can't do it' frame of mind. Once you stop thinking 'I can't do it' your mind will start looking for ways to help you to accept your situation and you will be able to deal with your stress.
A journal is a great way of getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. You don't have to just write in it either.
Use sketches or doodles as well, in fact use anything that helps you to express how you feel.
Add photo's or cut out pictures from newspapers or magazines. A photo of a brewing storm might help you to start writing about how you feel when the stress starts to build up.
A sketch of some rain drops might help you to write about why you want to cry. A photo of a blue sky with fluffy clouds, or the sky line of your favorite city, a funny cartoon or a photo of your loved ones just might help you feel a little better when you are really down.
Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing by Karen A Baikie and Kay Wilheim.
Write yourself well by John F. Evans, Ed.D
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