Blogging is Fun, but is it Good for You? Yes, Says New Research

For those of us who spend a good portion of our personal or professional lives blogging, we are already aware of the intrinsic benefits, much like you don’t have to explain to an athlete that physical activity is emotionally and physically engaging. However, for various public commentators, especially in the media, blogging is seen as a waste of time at best, and an exercise in narcissism at worst. But  a new body of research suggests that expressive writing in general, and blogging in particular, may have tangible health benefits.

This research was highlighted in the popular general science magazine, The Scientific American.  In a 2008 article, both neuroscientist Alice Flaherty and psychologist James Pennebaker noted the physiological benefits of expressive writing. Flaherty explained that blogging may trigger a dopamine release in much the same way that typical stimulants like music do, making us feel good. Flaherty also conjectured that blogging may serve as a placebo for suffering, in much the same way that complaining has proven to do. Flaherty surmised that this may explain why cancer patients feel better both physically and mentally if they engage in expressive writing immediately preceding treatment.

Penne baker focused on the biological changes that occur with expressive writing. For example, it has been proven that those who engage in expressive writing experience improved sleeping patterns. Nancy Morgan, who was also cited in the Scientific American article, published a paper in the journal Oncologist, which outlined her study that tested expressive writing on cancer patients. Morgan hopes to incorporate more expressive writing programs into cancer patient therapies, and she noted that blogging has potentially more therapeutic value because of its inherently social nature.  Morgan was quoted as saying, “Individuals are connecting to one another and witnessing each other’s expressions—the basis for forming a community.”

Even on a more anecdotal level, blogging subjectively improves lives. Take, for example, this blogger’s personal story published in Daily Blogging Tips. The blogger explains how blogging had helped build healthier relationships after having particular trouble in this arena. The blogger Martin Cooney notes:
“How many of you really consider what your relationships are all about? When you put your head down to write a blog post, you engage concentration, research and dwell on the subject to a much more intense degree. When you write a blog post on relationships, the same mechanism comes into play. Take, for example, the area of simply how you communicate with your spouse. How many of you even give that more than a cursory thought? If you were to write about it, your brain springs into deep thought on exactly how, why, when and the reasons around your communication.”
So if you needed any more motivation for continuing to blog, just remember that it is a healthy practice, both for mind and body.

Author Bio:
Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.