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Storytelling is typically described as telling or writing stories.
These narratives are often told for entertainment and to engage listeners or readers.
Storytelling, however, is also powerful in shaping yourmental health.
Lucy Lambriex / Getty Images
We are storytellers when we share with a family member about a negative event that happened at the market.
We also are storytellers when we describe the beginning of aromantic relationship.
Heres the story is the way we begin some of our conversations.
We share stories with others more often than we realize.
This article discusses the value of storytelling and details the mental health benefits of sharing stories.
Click below to listen now.
She also wanted to create a forum for story exchange and thereby transform healthcare through storytelling.
She believes that stories connect us.
Becoming a better and active listener is a great social skill to have.
You also develop your imagination and expand your thinking by reading stories in books.
you could use reading to exerciseyour brains health and fitness.
Goodimaginationscan sometimes enable people to weather lifes stressors better.
When we watch a scary movie, we are immersed in Hollywoods version of a story.
During those two hours, we are being transported and living in an imagined world.
The writer, director, costume designer, production crew and others are creating this story for us.
Oxytocin is associated with empathy, a building block in helping us connect and deepen our relationships.
In addition to increasingempathy, another benefit we derive from storytelling is improvedmemory.
Its not facts and features that sway us.
Stories can uplift us and change our moods.
This changed mood and outlook is no small matter.
A reasonable amount of positive emotion andoptimismallows us to cope better with adversity and meet the obstacles we face.
Storytellings power in regulating physiological and psychological functions is not to be dismissed.
Its a simple intervention in alleviating pain and discomfort and changing our emotional landscape.
Helps Those With Dementia
People with dementia have also benefited from participating in community storytelling andreminiscence therapy.
Helps Us Engage With Others
Not only do speakers employ stories to captivate their audiences.
Even scientists seeking to better connect with laypeople and the public at large are embracing storytelling.
On the other hand, failure narratives are also powerful.
Transforming Your Story
Narrative therapyhelps people move past the problematic stories that hold them back in life.
This leads to new and healthier viewpoints moving forward.
By choosing a different viewpoint, you could improve your mental health.
Lets say, for example, your brother was the favorite when you grew up.
You could grow up to be angry and bitter at the injustice of that.
Or you might forgive your parents.
You may rationalize that it was a cultural thing.
While we share stories, we are also improving our mental health and well-being.
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