Focus: Dare to Write Off Stress

“I believe that every person is born with talent”--Maya Angelou

Searching Within

Loads of women are besieged by the hustle-bustle of modern life. Fortunately, stress can, in actuality, force a person to be creative. Under constant attack from stress-related depression, artists such as Emily Dickinson have given human culture the gems of consciousness.

When mired in stress, search within; find a peaceful spot and locate what is troubling you. Could it be that you’re unable to say “no” to a controlling family member or manipulative co-worker? Perhaps it’s the pile of bills which continue to add up each month? Divas slow down, take a deep breath and write to create simple solutions.

Creating Stress-Free Zones for All Seasons

Throughout my youth I lived adventurously, traveling from one end of the map to the other. My grandmother suggested I keep a daily journal. Writing helped me crawl out from under my shell and understand my desires, emotions, struggles and insecurities. Across the miles, poetry became an effective therapy.

Jotting down images of nature and emotional phrases may aid in the healing process and assist in regaining strength and inner peace. Just as the seasons inspire poets and songwriters, they also spark creativity. Summer is dreamy in long days of cool dips in lakes. Women burdened with heavy stress may be amazed at how they can express their own being by relating to the rhythms of nature. Trust yourself. Let the ink flow.

Writing Works!

Poetry writing may be beneficial in combating stress by releasing emotional tension. Studies show poetry wards off depression. Remarkably, one study reported writing poetry lifted depression in nearly three-quarters of cases. Another study found 70 percent of sufferers felt better writing poems and eight percent improved so much they came off anti-depressants! Poetry causes thoughts to emerge that you didn’t even know you had in you.

So, curvaceous ones, when in the throes of stressful times—marriage, single- parenting and career pressures, why not try writing to release stress? It’s an excellent method to tune into the emotions.

Small changes make big differences in reducing stress.

Recommended Books and Audio

• Writing and Enjoying Haiku: A Hands on Guide (Paperback)
  by Jane Reichhold
• Claiming the Spirit Within : A Sourcebook of Women's Poetry (Paperback)
  by Marilyn Sewell
• Maya Angelou Poetry Collection (Audio CD)
  by Maya Angelou (Narrator)