For those of you who write because it makes you feel better, Brenda Stockdale, Author of You Can Beat the Odds,  helps to understand how. “The choices we make and the interpretation we assign events can influence physiological outcomes,”  Director of Mind-Body Medicine for the Georgia Cancer Treatment Center, Stockdale says, “Two specific traits, purpose and passion, cause the white blood cells to act differently.”  They strengthen the immune system.  Her work gives scientific credibility to what writers already know intuitively about the practice of writing – writing, especially during difficult times, can help us heal. 

She cites a Center for Disease Control study of 440,000 patients suffering from obesity.  The study, which began in the 1970’s, found a link between stress in early childhood, like sex abuse or violence, with disease as an adult.  In a follow up study of these patients, researchers noted a 35% decline in doctor’s office visits in the year following the disclosure of the trauma.  Suppressing emotions can cause harm to the body, Stockdale says.  “Labeling emotions helps the physiology relax.  You don’t need to fix it.  Just acknowledge it.  Link feelings to events,” she advises.  “But be warned about only writing about happy or terrible stuff.”  She suggests we follow Anne Sexton’s advice and, “Put your ear close to your soul and listen hard.” By embracing the full range of emotions and finding balance in writing about them, we’re moving in the right direction to keep the body, mind and spirit in a healthy equilibrium. 

Stockdale experienced the power of words first hand when she lost two-thirds of her blood in what she describes as a “freak medical accident.”  During that time she felt too weak to write, but reveled in hearing poetry read to her.  Her father read, Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” as she lay in a hospital bed unsure about whether she would survive or not..  The phrase, “If you can treat triumph and disaster – these two imposters just the same…” gave her courage and inspiration and she feels it contributed to her recovery.  Stockdale who also facilitates national retreats for people with life-challenging illnesses, notes a tight connection between self-worth and survival.  “The greatest drug we have is the will to live.”   For more on Brenda Stockdale see her website at: brendastockdale.com

Copyright Debra Moffitt-Leslie, October 2009, www.debramoffitt.com