Perhaps it can.I’m a high strung, stress bottling up type person, a quiz I took said:
You appear to have a classic “Type A” personality. This puts you at a higher risk for heart problems and high blood pressure, plus other difficulties. You could really benefit from the resources below. Not only could some lifestyle changes and alterations in your thought
patterns reduce the level of stress you experience, they could likely have a very positive impact on your health and overall happiness as well.
So having said that, and I agree. How can Blogging, Journaling, Podcasting, Twitter Relieve Stress? Do you think they can?
I do, letting of steam of 140 characters or less may be a great pressure relief valve. Blogging and Journaling may not, If you can keep a post short, to the point, without trying to bash away at your stress. If your Journaling or Blogging feeds you stress level, will it serve any purpose? The reason you want a relief valve is to take off stress, get rid of it, a little bit at a time is better than not getting it out at all.
I listened to a few podcast, read a few blogs and Twitters a bit too much. One of the podcast I listen to is: THE NAKED PODCASTS, (Not Safe For Work at times) which I feel is a good example of stress relief via podcasting, without going too far over the line of Fracken Whinier.
One of the Blogs, which I just started reading, BecomingSomething.com, (Safe For Work) is also a good example of talking about daily life. Written by Natasha, aka @somethinggirl. On her about page she says “I’m Natasha. You can call me Natasha. Isn’t it nice we’re on a first name basis already?” Finding and establishing connections with your readers and having the same in reverse is part of the stress relief. Natasha doesn’t use her blog as nothing but a relief valve, she talks about daily life and what is going on in her life.
Blogging, Journaling and Podcasting could be consider DYI psychotherapy, both of these LifeCasters presents a balanced view of their life and doing so with out whining and complaining to a level which is unproductive.
Recent research projects, studies and artices indicate that in (so called) todays modern world we may have dealt our self a crushing blow.
A research project at the University of Kansas, Therapeutic Lifestyle Change, indicates that “We are designed largely for a Stone Age environment, and the technological evolution that has occurred has happened much faster than our physiological evolution.” (TLC)
Below are a few links to information on the project, and to the project itself.
- Kansas Alumni Magazine (March 2005): In-depth description of the TLC approach.
- Lawrence Journal World (June 1, 2005): Overview article. Includes quotes from ‘Jane’, a patient in the TLC pilot group.
- University Daily Kansan (December 3, 2007): Article on student depression in the KU student paper.
Further studies and articles indicate that living in a close-knit community offers a buffer to stress, spreads out the stress and helps in reducing it.
Over a two year period my wife and I lived among a planned religious community. While not considered “members” we were considered long time attenders/participants. While participating in their way of life, we found that having access to this close-knit group had great benefits mentally; socially; financially and spiritually. Life events, births, deaths, joys and fears were shared, work was shared, community burdens were shared, helping each other was not a burden, it was a welcomed event.
Stone Age, Primitive Societies – are thought to be backwards, as are the Amish. But is this effect just seen in the Amish, Stone Age Humans? Many feel that it may be true.
Here are a few articles which lend to these claims; articles from Realtors, community planners and city planner.
- Neighborhoods Can Reduce the Risk of Obesity
- NY Times: Planned Communities Are Multiplying
- Communities Magazine offers various articles on community living.
What do you think? Does Blogging, Journaling, Podcasting or Twittering help you or does it stress you out?
