Did you know that journaling for 20+ minutes a week can positively impact your well-being?
We all experience stressful situations in our day to day life. Journaling after stressful life events can have a positive effect on spiritual and physical well-being, finding a meaning or purpose in life, endurance, and anger management. 1-3
For example, one study found that people who journaled for at least 10 minutes (twice a week) reported positive benefits after stressful life events, such as a greater appreciation for life, seeing more personal strengths, and recognizing new possibilities in life. However, this study also suggested that not all journaling is equal. Participants who wrote about an emotional experience AND tried to make sense of the event did better than participants that just wrote about an emotional event. 4
Resilient Retreat believes that journaling can be a helpful tool to facilitate healing after trauma. We are thrilled to be hosting two different free and confidential journaling support groups:
For Survivors of Abuse:
January 28th at 5:30-7:00 pm
1207 Sarasota Center Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34240
For First Responders/Helping Professionals:
February 4th at 5:30-7:00 pm
1207 Sarasota Center Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34240
You can sign-up to participate in the groups by calling us 941-343-0039 or going to:https://slotted.co/supportgroup
We hope to see you there!
References:
1. Hamby, S., Banyard, V., Hagler, M., Kaczkowski, W., Taylor, E., Roberts, L, & Grych, J. (2015). The Laws of Life Essay Toolkit.Sewanee, TN: Life Paths Research Program.
2. Low, C.A., Stanton, A. L, & Danoff-Burg, S. (2006). Expressive disclosure and benefit finding among breast cancer patients: mechanisms for positive health effects. Health Psychology, 2, 181-189.
3. Petrie, K. J., Fontanilla, I., Thomas, M.G., Boothe, R.J., & Pennebaker, J.W. (2004). Effect of written emotional expression on immune function in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a randomized trial. Journal of American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46, 811-819.
4. Ullrich, P.M. & Lutgendorf, S.K. (2002). Journaling about stressful events: Effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 244-250.