Why Write?

By: Jaime Linder

Some people just enjoy writing, and it comes naturally to them. Others of us write to process our feelings or to try to make sense of a situation. Some write as a form of therapy. Then there are people who only write when it is required. But did you know that writing is actually good for you? Researchers are discovering the arts alter a complex physiological network of interconnected systems— including neural circuitry, circulatory, respiratory, immune and endocrine and psychological like nothing else (Magsamen and Ross). This applies to writing as well. 

David Ramos notes some other perks of writing and how it improves your life. 

• It can help you develop critical thinking skills. It allows you to understand problems and communicate solutions. 

• It encourages you to become more organized, providing practice arranging your thoughts in a chronological, coherent way to create understandable writing. 

• It pushes you to explore your creativity.  

• It can be the basis for starting or rebuilding meaningful relationships through letters, notes, and journals. 

These are just a few of the benefits writing has on you. It also has positive affects on your mental health. 

Additionally, Dr. James Pannebaker emphasizes the significant effect that writing can have on healing trauma and improvement of mental health. He found that writing increases resilience, and decreases depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and rumination. Therefore, writing acts as a natural defense system. 

Even if you never submit anything to be published, or you do but your work doesn’t get published. Keep writing— it’s literally good for you!