A study published in the March 2018 JAMA Psychiatry found that writing about a specific upsetting memory was just as effective as traditional cognitive processing therapy in treating adults with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The actual writing aspect also can be a therapeutic tool as you explore issues that may still trouble you. “Even if you write about parts of your life that you have never told anyone because they were unhappy or painful memories, revisiting them can show others the strength it takes to overcome life barriers when they face their own,” says Kearney. For instance, they can be an opportunity to pass along specific wisdom and life lessons. Writing your memoirs offers many benefits beyond simple storytelling. “You have a unique firsthand account of your culture and history that others don’t, and leaving a recorded history of your life can be an important gift to both you and your descendants.” Words of wisdom
“You would be surprised at how interested your peers and family members are in your stories and personal history,” says Brendan Kearney, Vitalize 360 Wellness Coach at Harvard-affiliated Hebrew SeniorLife. As people age, they may begin to feel irrelevant to those around them, especially their families, which often leads to low self-esteem, greater isolation, and a higher risk of depression.īut engaging yourself in an endeavor like writing your memoirs can be rewarding for you and others. Mort’s reaction is quite common among older adults, as is his response. What was he up to? Mort said he had lost his sense of purpose and identity, so he turned to something he knew a lot about - his life story - and began to write his memoirs. During a recent game, I noticed a stack of composition books, scribbled-over yellow pads, and Bic pens spread over his dining table. I play poker in a weekly game hosted by an 80-year-old man named Mort.
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