“Every secret of a writer's soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind is written large in his works.” (Virginia Woolf)
One of my greatest fears with my poor memory
is that one day I will eventually get Alzheimer’s disease, and forget the
wonderful life, habits, hobbies, and people that have turned me into the unique
individual I am. As of January 2018, testing validated that I didn't have
Alzheimer’s as of that date.
I need to remember God is always with no
mater if something bad should happen to me (like mentally not being able to
post on this blog daily). Somehow, He will get me through what He allows, and
make me better in the process. Did you know that writing regularly has health benefits
for senior citizens? Here are four of them:
Creates self-discipline: Discipline is
earned when you learn to do something over a long time and build a healthy
habit. Discipline is like a muscle that becomes stronger with more practice,
and the discipline required to make writing a regular habit can spread to other
areas of someone’s life. The daily practice of writing can make it easier for someone
to adopt other healthy habits like exercise. As we age, it can be
increasingly valuable to have discipline and a daily/weekly routine.
Especially for those
that have retired from work, it is vital to keep the mind active and engaged
for all the years post-career. It is surprising how writing can shape
other aspects of their life as well. Whether communicating with
friends/family, coming up with a new recipe, or managing investments, it
all requires writing. No one wakes up and immediately becomes an expert at
anything. You learn to be one.
The same is true for
all aspects of life such as eating healthy or working out. It is remarkable how
the art of writing is often undervalued in society, yet it has so many
benefits. Regularly writing will help reveal a positive perspective
on life,
and writers will reap the rewards.
Enhances memory, comprehension, and
communication skills:
With writing, the brain searches for the right words to express someone’s
thoughts. The act of writing—especially by hand—causes signals to be sent from
your hands to your brain to build motor memory, and that physical response helps imprint the
information for better retention. This encourages cognitive recall and
strengthening the hand-brain connection.
Writing has critical
connections to speaking, which means focusing on better writing skills can also
lead to better speaking skills. If you or a member of your family is suffering
from memory loss, writing becomes a necessity. To maintain and continue
improving the abilities to communicate and evaluate, consider writing
more.
If someone forgets
the words to express themselves, writing down ideas becomes critical. Although
keeping a memory notebook or daily journal cannot cure dementia and memory loss in
seniors,
it exercises your mind and can prevent mild cognitive impairment.
Reduces stress: Writing allows someone
to vent out their feelings of sadness, anger, and other painful emotions. This
makes it possible to feel calmer and more present in the moment. Journaling also
helps clarify thoughts, allowing someone to see solutions to problems that may
be worrying them. It can even help someone understand another person’s point of
view and pave the way to resolving conflicts that may be causing stress.
In addition to
reminiscing on pleasant memories, writing acts as a medium to vent and even
release negative feelings. Sometimes, for older adults, it is not easy to talk
about problems. Maybe they don't want to be embarrassed, appear weak, or it's
simply not easy to find the words. However, a paper will not have any judgment,
writers can take time to find the words, and this can make it much
easier to express oneself. Writing is essential for boosting the ability to
analyze a conflict. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing in it
regularly can also make you happier over time.
Superior quality of sleep: Writing your
thoughts and keeping a gratitude journal are also linked to getting a better
night’s sleep,
which is critical to both mental and physical health. Sleep deprivation lowers
your body’s levels of growth hormones, which are important for repairing
physical damage in your body. It’s especially helpful if your writing is geared
toward gratitude, which spending just 15 minutes a night writing down what
you’re thankful for significantly improves the quality and duration
of your sleep.
However, simply writing down anything that's consuming your thoughts and making
you restless puts your mind at ease and enables you to relax.
“Aging is an extraordinary process whereby
you become the person you always should have been.” (David Bowie)[i]
[i] Adapted from:
· “5 Benefits of Writing for Older Adults “by Cantissimo
· “5 Reasons Seniors Should Keep Writing in Their Golden
Years” by Rob Buck
· “Benefits of Writing: Improve Senior Memory &
Overall Health” by Kerren Williams
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