Stress is an underlying cause that can be attributed to disease, depression and a plethora of physical, mental, emotional and financial woes. I would like to offer you an alternative method to combat the effects of stress. This unique strategy involves writing.

Writing and Stress Relief

So often we internalize the things that bother us most, allowing them to create internal strife until, at some point, they reach a boiling point and erupt from within us. Sometimes this eruption can occur at the most inopportune times, and in the presence of someone who has nothing to do with the root cause of your stress. Maybe you had a rough day at work or got stuck in traffic on the way home. Then, your spouse asks you to take the trash out, or one of your children leaves a toy on the floor, and that becomes the straw that breaks the camel’s back, causing you to lash out and release your accumulated stress in an inappropriate manner to an undeserving recipient. 

What if you could take a moment to decompress and analyze your own thoughts, emotions and current state of being? If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to inadvertently open a bottle of soda that’s been shaken up, in hindsight you know that you could have let it sit and calm down or you could slowly twist the top and control the release of the pressure within. 

Writing allows you to decompress. Stop and take a minute to journal your thoughts, emotions and the happenings of the day. Then read what you wrote and process it. I bet this will relieve some of your pressure. Oftentimes, we verbalize our thoughts and feelings to someone without fully processing the words that are coming out of our mouths, only to immediately regret what we said. The phrase, “open mouth, insert foot” comes to mind. 

How Writing and Journaling Can Help in your Daily Life

The cathartic process of writing allows you to express yourself and, more importantly, gives you the opportunity to read, review and rethink what you’re expressing. Then you have the option to decide whether or not you want to share your writing with anyone else. Not everything you write needs to be posted on social media or published in a book. Remember the good old days of your childhood? Maybe you kept a secret journal back then. 

I’ve worked with many author clients who have exorcised their inner demons through the art of writing. One client overcame late-life PTSD from his time in Vietnam by writing out his feelings and publishing a book to help other veterans battle their PTSD. Another client released some pent-up emotion, and the process of writing helped him overcome his long-time alcoholism. 

Whatever your issues may be, take a moment to write down your innermost thoughts and feelings. Just taking this time to self-reflect is often very healing and fulfilling. If you don’t have the time or the ability to handwrite or type, use the audio recorder or voice-to-text feature on your phone. Then listen to the audio recording and analyze your feelings. 

I hope you will take the time to “write” your life. Who knows, you may discover that you have a best-selling story within you. And if so, I’d be happy to offer my author coaching, ghostwriting and editing services to help you write and publish your own book. 

To learn more about the writing services Sean offers, click here.