We human beings are emotive creatures.  Our existence is defined by creation and expression.  It’s who we are.  It’s what makes us tick.  For thousands of years, that compulsion to create and express has found its outlet through writing.  From the earliest ancient etchings found on rocks and cave walls, to the tapping of computer keyboards that we are familiar with today, writing has formed an integral part of our experience.  As it turns out, there are wonderful benefits to writing, whether they are defined or not.

Physiological response – The expression of emotion, particularly the negative kind, can have a tangible impact on our physical well-being.  The release of negative emotion results in a sense of comfort and calm that brings about benefits for the body.  These benefits include the decrease of blood pressure, the alleviation of muscle tension, reduced heart rate, and improved respiratory functionality.  As the powerful human need to express finds a creative outlet, the knock-on physiological advantages are undeniable.

Clarifying the mind – Committing our thoughts to the written (or typed) word forces us to crystalize them.  It aids us in sorting through all the mental clutter and arriving at clearly defined concepts and goals.

Sparking creativity – The very act of transferring words to paper often leads to the refinement of pre-conceived ideas, or even to brand new epiphanies that were not previously considered.  Writing inherently enhances our ability to thoroughly process information and to generate fresh ways of expressing ourselves.

Protecting memories – Time has a habit of eroding even our most cherished memories of experiences gone by.  Describing and saving these events on paper or hard-drive ensures that they are safeguarded as part of our personal journey, allowing us to revisit those moments that are precious to us.

Community – Activities such as online blogging or journaling and creative writing inspire communication among those who share a similar passion or point of view.  Writing brings people together and provides a shared platform through which experiences and opinions can be shared, and individuals can grow within the context of community.

Emotional and spiritual release – Writing can be extremely therapeutic.  It has been said that our joy in the experience of something good is only truly complete when we are able to share the experience with others.  It is in the sharing of life’s positive moments that our enjoyment of them is fully consummated.  Also, the pains of disappointment, rejection or tragedy are never truly overcome unless the emotions they have stirred have been expressed.  Writing facilitates the expression of emotion…emotions which we derive joy from in sharing, and those that we are harmed by through suppressing.  Honest prayers that have been committed to paper have been the source of profound comfort and encouragement for countless people over many centuries.

This business of writing is as much a spiritual endeavor, as it is practical and emotional.  Things like community, well-being and creativity are indeed powerfully eternal concepts…at least in this writer’s opinion.  Writing indeed impacts the full spectrum of the human condition.