Weight Loss Information

Can Writing Actually Improve Your Health?


According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, writing about stressful life events helped reduce symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with these chronic illnesses. The effects of the writing exercise were still evident four months later and resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in patient symptoms.

Interestingly, studies showed that asthma patients who wrote about their most stressful life events showed a 19-percent improvement in lung function; similarly, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 28-percent reduction in symptoms.


These findings add to a growing body of evidence that links mental and emotional health to physical well-being.   Although researchers aren't sure exactly how expressive writing can lead to health improvements, they theorize that writing help people cope with stress, and stress-as well all know-clearly  impacts health.

University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker believes that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes.  He theorizes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health.

Louise Moran, a nurse coordinator, has written about a patient who, during a serious illness, sent daily e-mails to friends and family about her illness, a practice the woman believes played a pivotal role in her healing process.  Moran said another patient felt that journaling helped her create a new life after breast cancer.  There have even been studies suggesting that journaling in healthy people actually improves the immune system. 

Patti Testerman is content manager at JournalGenie.com, the only online site that analyzes your writing and then gives you instant feedback. Want to discover self-defeating patterns, or find better ways to communicate in a relationship?  Check out our site.


MORE RESOURCES:

Safest Weight Loss Surgery for Britons Travelling Abroad
PR Web (press release), WA - 7 hours ago
To have the best chance of successful long term weight loss, patients also need to have on-going support and contact, to help them through the process. ...


Synovis anticipates gains from weight-loss surgeries
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 4 hours ago
During a conference call with investors Wednesday, Kramp acknowledged that weight-loss surgeries could be considered "somewhat elective. ...


Effects of Perilipin (PLIN) Gene Variation on Metabolic Syndrome ...
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, MD - 9 hours ago
After intervention, subjects carrying minor allele T at PLIN6 had increased weight loss (3.3 ± 3.7 vs. 1.9 ± 3.4 kg; P = 0.002) and increased loss of the ...


Examiner.com

Is eating organic the best kept weight loss secret?
Examiner.com - 11 hours ago
by Sarah Dussault, Boston Fitness Examiner Could eating organic be the best kept weight loss secret? After reading various studies for a recent video, ...


Teacher gains from high-tech weight-loss program
Bellingham Herald, WA - 22 hours ago
The 52-year-old Bellingham resident had no idea the solution would be an innovative weight-loss program at Bellingham Athletic Club, involving a high-tech ...


Rude Remarks: How to Handle the Weight Loss Saboteur
Beliefnet.com, NY - 11 hours ago
Every so often, someone says something to me about my newly found thinness that is upsetting and sends me reeling. (Yes, it's been seven years since I ...


Examiner.com

Vegetarian/vegan diet for lasting weight loss
Examiner.com - 11 hours ago
by Peggy Kraus, Disease Prevention Examiner Vegetarians [and vegans] have a slightly higher metablolic rate during rest, meaning that they burn up more ...


Kimberly Garrison: How Winner won weight loss fight
Philadelphia Daily News, PA - 16 hours ago
The weight loss became my license to go back to poor eating habits," Bob said. He regained 60 pounds. Luckily, that was his wake-up call. ...


Weight loss super pill?
WBXH, LA - Dec 3, 2008
By Phil Rainier - bio | email Is it a weight loss super pill? Scientists at Baton Rouge's Pennington Biomedical Research Center say it's possible. ...


Washington Post

Vikings DTs Challenge Suspensions in Court
Washington Post, United States - 23 hours ago
Several of the players tested positive for a banned diuretic contained in a weight-loss product, according to their representatives. ...
Williamses win legal reprieve ... for now Minneapolis Star Tribune
Steve Aschburner Vikings' diet policies help produce amazing ... MinnPost.com
Line of Scrimmage: Week 14 - Weighing in on StarCaps Kansas City Star
The Associated Press - New York Daily News
all 1,944 news articles

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map | Home Site
© 2006