Writing-An Effective Way To Ease Depression Through Words.
Many of us write simply for the reason that we enjoy the writing process through the words that are created by our own thoughts. Words that our deep subconscious, conjures up at the precise moment we are in need of that word, or set of words, to help complete the sentence or paragraph we are putting together for a story, article, blog, or whatever other piece of writing it may be. However don't be too hard on yourself in the beginning, if you're new to the writing process, or a seasoned pro for that matter. Because you may be at a loss for words at first.
If so-take a few moments before you start jotting down words. Grab a cup of coffee and drift slowly off into that cozy little place-just you your pen and paper, or notepad. Give it fifteen mintues or even a half-hour or so. But trust me the words will come and when they do, they will flow rapidly and smoothly all at once-transferring all of the days, or even the years past thoughts, by way of pen onto your paper or computer screen.
Some of us from time to time are plagued by our old friend writers block, who on occasion rears his ugly head, to remind us that we are not entirely superior to the writing process. No, we all have our given flaws and imperfections. In addition, some of us who pen the written word, or even type it onto the computer screen; may write because of being overly anxious about personal matters going on in our lives. Perhaps we even have issues that weigh on us so heavily like a cinder block; that they in turn make a majority of us depressed and many-equally as stressed.
But life really is just too short when you stop for a moment to think about it. Too short for all of the nonsense of worrying about these less trivial matters-that and the other thing for instance-isn't it? Have you ever heard of a depressed writer? I beg to differ with you if you haven't, because they're out there. In fact one out of every five individuals suffer from some type of mental health disorder including depression. If it makes you feel any better as a writer. Writers make up part of that elite group who are included within the one out of five who suffer from bouts of depression.
Among the many gifted and talented writers there are names that most likely come to mind. Names like the late great Ernest Hemmingway, John Steinbeck, Edgar Allan Poe and yes even famous artists among those writers like Vincent Van Gogh. Have you ever thought about what Van Gogh himself was thinking when he painted one of his famous works on canvas-Starry Night for example?
Did he actually envision a pattern of stars displayed on what I like to call-heavens blackboard, one dark and starry night and painted what he saw in the heavens. Or was he merely an artistic genius suffering from a mental illness such as depression, while meditating on a moment in time,when he painted this unusual but famous piece of art work.
It's definitely hard to say what sparked Van Gogh's, or even famous writers like Hemmingway's imagination. Two famous people, one an artist and one a writer who both suffered from depression, but who both also shared a special gift, the gift of being able to express oneself with paint brush and with that of pen and paper.
In todays modern era, we might have found Hemmingway seated at a favorite desk and chair, busy at the keyboard of a modern pc, or laptop. And then again-maybe it would still be the old familiar pen and paper, that we would find him using to put those words into motion. The beauty about writing is that you have the option of using a pen, paper,electric typewriter, or yes-even a pc for that matter.
Some individuals who suffer with bouts of depression often use a variety of colored pens, or pencils to jot down their thoughts, or ideas for a book, blog or in a journal. Colored pens and pencils for example tend to be more vibrant and for those who are suffering from depression, it makes the words flow that much easier for them. Let's say it helps to not only motivate them to write, but basically gets them in the mood! The choice of course is up to you the writer, on what color, or type of instrument you choose to pen the written word with. It in essence, is entirely in your hands.
Whatever the driving force is that impels one to write could be many. It could certainly be a series of events in ones life that inspires that person to write. It could even be more of an inner cry for help if you will-reaching out with words to ease the tension and stress that has depressed and encapsulated an individual within a state of sadness, anxiety and yes-even a state of utter fear .
Writing in itself can can tend to soothe, or ease if you will, the inner emotions that cause many of us much turmoil in our daily lives. The most wonderful thing about being a writer of the written word, whether you're new to the process, or a professional who blogs, journals, or writes fiction for a living. Is that writing does not take a great deal of motivation or money for that matter. Well maybe I should not place too much emphasis on the motivation part of it. Motivation can be an issue if you suffer with bouts of depression.
But forcing yourself to write on a continual basis-maybe even three times per week, can help you overcome that depression and maybe without having to resort to pills. Look at writing as exercise. To keep your body mobile and fit, you need to exercise at least three days per week, thirty minutes each of those three days. The same should apply for you when it comes to writing and trying to exercise your mind and alleviate the tensions of the day. You would accomplish this through the words that you craft up in the subconscious. And in turn place them onto a computer screen, or notepad.
But then again the whole point of this article is to help you tear away from whatever it is that is eating at you, so to speak. Whether it is depression or a combination of anxiety, fear and depression. You as the writer in control of your destiny, want to literally get your mind off of you and everything else while you write down words-any words for that matter. As long as they are your own thoughts about the day, your girlfriend, boyfriend, an idea for a book, blog-whatever.
If you are having issues with depression currently, as well as coming up with ideas on what to put down on paper. Then it is not only affecting your ability to write, but also keeping you from being the person who you really are deep down. If this is sounds somewhat like you, I recommend a good book that will help you deal with your depression and get you writing at the same time. It will at least start you out with some type of word group, that you can place onto that paper, or keyboard lying below your eye level. The name of this book, is by the author-Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer.
It is called-Writing through the darkness: easing your depression with paper and pen." This book is not only a good read for those who suffer with some form of depression, or other similar mental health issue and need a little lift to get the pen moving. But in addition it is great for college level students, looking to improve their academic writing skills overall.
Even placing activities into a daily journal can help you discover a bit about you-where you have been in the past mentally and even maybe on what path you might be heading in the future. Journaling is a popular type of writing that can help you fight off that gloom and doom and rediscover yourself as a person. It will help you achieve peace with your inner self. In addition to that it will also keep you off of you and the negativity that may surround you and your present environment.
Remember no one is going to be able to help you get writing but you. Especially when it comes to finding that niche the motivates and sparks your imagination for that particular moment in time. All of the prescription medicines on the market may do some good to a certain extent-don't get me wrong. And in addition to the drugs and counseling sessions with your therapist, may manage to get you through the next two weeks, or if you're fortunate enough-two months possibly.
But like many forms of depression and other mental health issues, in which one of those one in five people; whom we spoke about earlier, in the article suffer with on a continual basis. Writing may not only be the right tool, but the only tool, to help you ease that lull, or low spot you have managed to find yourself in lately and help take that cinder block off from upon your shoulders.
It is very important that you write when ever the opportunity avails itself to you and the opportunity is right. In an effort to not only keep you off of you and your negative emotions, but to mainly keep your mind busy as a bee collecting honey on a warm summers day.
And you keep your mind busy, by keeping your hands and fingers busy in unison with your mind, by writing in a journal for example, or typing out a rough draft on the keyboard of a laptop. Writing can certainly be a powerful outlet in helping you overcome any bouts with depression, but if you do not attempt to try it, then you will never know how it could benefit you.
Hey you will really never know until you pick up that pen and paper, or open up that closed laptop and let your fingers work their way across the keyboard right?. So what are you waiting for?...Feel better and get writing today!!
