Writing to Heal program set Oct. 26
HealTree will present Writing to Heal, facilitated by Lindsey Pope, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 1632 Savannah Road, Suite 9, Lewes.
Expressive writing is good for one’s health. There are more than 1,300 peer-reviewed studies on the topic. Writing allows people to create space between their true selves and their thoughts.
Oftentimes an individual’s thought responses to situations trigger the nervous system. This triggering may activate the sympathetic nervous system into a fight-or-flight response, which may manifest in the form of psychological and physiological responses such as anxiety, pain and anger. After the trigger has passed, a person should move into the parasympathetic system, also known as resting and digesting or recovery. This does not always occur automatically, and a person may find difficulty returning to the rest state especially with mental and thought-based triggers. The inability to return to the resting state can increase pain, anxiety and anger, and create other difficult experiences.
Through writing, a person may be able to create the space to assist in the process of returning to rest and recovery. With the space accessed, one is also able to gain freedom over thoughts and find power to choose responses rather than reacting out of a heightened nervous system response.
In a recent study conducted with fMRI scans, expressive writing quieted down participants' amygdala, the emotion center of the brain. Quieting the amygdala is the first step in returning a person’s body into the rest and recovery state.
Writing to Heal invites participants to use writing as a method to help themselves process difficult situations and emotions to create that space. In this interactive program, participants will practice writing for healing in a variety of individual and small-group exercises. Participants will also learn helpful strategies to continue the practice on their own time.
Cost of $45 per person includes handouts and a journal. Space is limited. To learn more or sign up, go to healtree.co or call 302-827-4683.
