Whether suffering from mental health issues or not, each person needs a creative outlet. Studies affirm that engaging in such activities and being creative is particularly important for individuals navigating challenging phases in their lives. Mental health recovery can be seen as such – a tough period for many individuals experiencing it. One of the ways you can get more in touch with yourself during recovery and better your chances of successfully preventing relapse is to immerse yourself in a creative writing course or simply write on your own, maintain an everyday journal, etc. Let us explore the role of creative writing in mental health recovery.
Exploring the psychological advantages of creative writing
First things first, we’ll take a look at how creative writing helps you stay mentally balanced daily.
Boosting self-esteem
Capturing your thoughts and emotions on paper (and transforming them into literature) is a great way to enforce a positive shift in self-perception. By showing your writing to other people or simply enjoying it in private, in a “for-my-eyes-only” manner, you’ll have a lot to gain. There will be plenty of praise from your loved ones, but you’ll also have a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of your inner life.
Strengthening your attention span
There’s no need to underline that we live in an era of short attention spans, Facebook and Instagram reels, TikTok, and so on. People no longer concentrate on content that requires them to focus for more than eight seconds or so. That’s where creative writing in mental health recovery comes as a cure. Here are the facts: writing engages your mind in multitasking – you’re composing, thinking, and reading all at the same time, and that’s how you’re fostering focused attention. In short, the more you write, the stronger your focus and concentration.
Improving memory
Now, this is especially important for older adults: creative writing can help improve memory. Its main perk is that it organizes ideas and creates mental connections inside the brain. For an even stronger effect, you can opt for non-digital writing, using some good old pencil and paper combo. Handwriting, with its tactile and sensory attributes, has a solid effect on memory formation: it makes even small notes potent memory triggers.
Clearer thinking
Creative writing can be quite a powerful tool for thinking and communication. One of the leading brains of this world – Bill Gates – sees it as a way to re-evaluate your thoughts and overall mental activity. Whether you’re indulging in (auto)fiction or its opposite, writing will help you enjoy a clear head. Also, keep in mind that one shouldn’t wait for inspiration, feel ready, or anything like that, as the process itself is beneficial, and many ideas may unfold during its course.
How creative writing aids mental health recovery
There are many studies that have shown that creative writing (and creative writing groups and courses) aids mental health recovery. Let’s go over the facts!
Creative writing helps heal addiction-related trauma
Writing about experiences that led or even mildly contributed to the development of mental health issues and addictive tendences is a tried and true practice in addiction treatment and post-recovery period. It helps individuals confront and heal their trauma. Rather than trying to push traumatic experiences into oblivion (which, we know, is never successful), it’s more effective to face them in broad daylight, channeled through the power of words and literature.
Knowing that all your experiences no matter how devastating or traumatic, can serve as a basis for art means a lot. Also, fostering that kind of attitude will help you be more prepared for things that might come your way in the future.
Creative writing serves as a profound tool for those on the journey of recovery from addiction, offering a means to confront and articulate their experiences and traumas. Such expressive practices enable individuals to transform their struggles into narratives of resilience and hope.
Understanding the importance of a multifaceted approach to healing
We Level Up Treatment Centers stands at the forefront of addiction and mental health care. Their dedication to providing a spectrum of evidence-based therapies and post-recovery programs reflects a commitment to embracing innovative strategies that support long-term recovery. We Level Up demonstrates a deep appreciation for the therapeutic potential of engaging in creative and reflective practices. This approach underscores the belief that recovery is not only about addressing the physical aspects of addiction but also nurturing the emotional and creative expressions that contribute to a person’s overall well-being.
Sharing is caring (about oneself)
Writing might often seem like a solitary pursuit, but it doesn’t have to be. While there are times when you will need solitude to focus, engaging in a supportive writing community and reading your stuff aloud will help you overcome numerous issues that come with the mental health recovery process.
By attending literary events in your surroundings, joining creative writing courses, or – posting your works online for others to enjoy, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how writing can help you have a more positive and engaging social life, which significantly helps people going through recovery.
Being accountable and staying ahead of your goals
Don’t worry; not all writing has to be creative or artistic.
There’s no need to pressure your writing into art by any means. For instance, keeping a simple journal of everyday events or various to-do lists and writing about short-term or long-term goals will aid you in total recovery. Such an action will add some much-needed structure to your week. Therefore, even though this kind of output isn’t solely artistic (although it can be), it will help you feel more motivated and ahead of your goals.
Creative writing in mental health recovery – a summary
Creative writing in mental health recovery is one of the vital tools in the process. Through self-expression, artistic re-routing, and mindful self-reflection, it provides many psychological and therapeutic benefits, aiding in the management of mental health challenges. The process promotes understanding, reduces stress, and improves well-being.
Combined with professional therapy in a treatment center, attending a creative writing course might be the thing. Engaging in a supportive community of online or offline writers further strengthens the healing journey.
Literary events, writing groups, and social media platforms create spaces for sharing and connection, making creative writing a powerful avenue for resilience, self-discovery, and recovery.
Author’s bio:
Lauren Barry is a licensed marriage and family therapist, EMDR-approved therapist, and qualified supervisor from Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
References:
https://www.bolton.ac.uk/blogs/psychological-benefits-of-creative-writing
https://www.publishingtalk.org/writing/writing-and-mental-health-8-psychological-benefits/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17533015.2022.2130379 (ext. link)
Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash
