Psychology Today post
One research study investigated whether an expressive writing intervention could help people to feel better about it. In this study of almost 100 college students with a recent (past 3 months) breakup, participants were assigned to write about either only the positive aspects of the breakup, only the negative aspects, or about a superficial topic (control group). Those in the positive-writing group reported experiencing more positive emotions when they thought about the breakup and had no increase in negative emotions. The positive emotions included empowerment, happiness, relief, thankfulness, and wisdom. If the breakup was mutual, the benefits of positive writing were even stronger. Perhaps focusing on the positive can eventually reprogram the brain's reactions. More research using actual brain scans is needed to verify this. Also, since these participants were college students, we don't know if older people would experience the same effects.
Interesting. It brings up the issue of perspective and how a person defines positive aspects.
ReplyDeleteSeparations are powerful experiences. Defining them as beginnings and lessons learned, experiences necessary to move on to something better can create a positive emotional experience that an MRI can detect.
Thank you, Melanie. Fascinating.
author: Healing Your Hungry Heart, Conari Press. http://amzn.to/ibMVh2
Joanna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the insightful comments. I really like the specific new meanings you suggest. This is the stuff that works with my clients.I think the overall theme is to find a meaning that can help your self-esteem and create positive expectations for the future.
I found that focusing on the positive really helped me get over my divorce. I was devastated at first, yet once I started noticing the benefits of my breakup, I felt so much better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, it sounds familiar...Is this study from Pennebaker's Healing Power of Expressing Emotions? He did a great deal of research regarding expressive writing and feeling better combined with brain research. I love his work as expressive art is a big part of my practice, and there is so much to support its use. I think it is healing through the emotions, to understand where the feelings are coming from (creating your story) and then to focus on developing positive ways of coping, affirmations, reframing, reworking. it;s alot of hard work, and it cannot be handed to a person.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteThis was a study using Pennebaker's method adapted to focus on positive emotions in one condition. Glad you like Pennebaker's work and use expressive arts. I also think creative self-expression, sometimes indirectly or nonverbally, is an important way of getting to know your own emotions and motivations and process them. I agree very much with your last comment as well. Reframing is individual as its up to each person to find their own lesson or meaning.
Ms Monet,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. It's nice to hear how people have applied this type of strategy in their lives.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI found this whilst I have been trying to deal with a recent break up. I blog, but usually about the negative aspects of the relationship.
I will try to write now but from the positive aspect, and will see how that goes.
I have one started on positivity already - at myroadtoheal.blogspot.com and the negative ones have been addressed to my ex partner at letterstomydear.blogspot.com
Thanks
great blog..if we are being positive we can easily get over from breakups..just think the bright side and be happy of what you have right now..forget the past and learn from it..learn also to accept the reality that not everyone that we love will always stay forever..
ReplyDeletepsychology