According to psychiatrists, a new study in Cyber-Psychology, and this psychologist in training (me!), blogging is good for your health! The article's not yet available online through Cyber-Psychology but you can read more about it here. The study tracked bloggers on a social networking site (much like Disaboom) and found that after only two months of blogging, people felt less isolated and happier with friendships compared to others that used the site but didn't blog. Other research indicates blogging has helped some people decrease anxiety and depression. Blogging also seems to promote creativity and critical thinking.
Some explain the powerful benefits as blogging by comparing this form of expression to a sort of interactive journal. Not only does blogging allow us to express ourselves, but there's an added bonus! Receiving feedback, sympathy, and support from even unknown others can have a therapeutic effect. A blog can feel like a diary with an audience. Not only to bloggers seem to benefit from the feedback they receive from others, but they almost always also join the audience to provide support to fellow bloggers. One study found that 75% of blog readers maintained their own blog. Writing and reading blogs seems to be a two-way avenue of support that's been created by a growing group of people
sometimes a world apart.
Why all the buzz on the benefits of blogging? The obvious answer might be that we're all a tad ego-centric (interested primarily in ourselves!). So when studies and articles pop up about bloggers, of course we're going to blog about them! But I think there's another side to the hype. Many bloggers, including me, go about our daily lives surrounded by a majority of people that don't understand blogging in the slightest. There's a negative stereotype that paints us as hermits holed up in a lonely, dark computer room accompanied only by the light of our screens. Most of us have heard, "Why would you want to put it all out there for total strangers?" We've all encountered that blank stare from some when you even mention the word "blog". An no one, but our fellow bloggers, really understands that glee when you hit on a subject that causes a stir or motivates people to contact us.
Of course, nothing compares to a real-live listener when you've had a hard day or want to share good news. And there are dangers to becoming too free with the information you share on your blog. It can feel good to express how much you despise your boss or your mother-in-law, but it's never pleasant to face the real consequences when an in-the-moment venting session becomes cemented in online history. So like any effective medicine or treatment, blog in moderation and with caution. I don't want to admit any overdosing bloggers on Monday when I return to the hospital!
What I DO want is to hear from you!
What positive benefits of blogging have you experienced (either from reading or writing blogs)?
Have you ever encountered any negative stereotypes or repercussions from your blog?
After you leave a comment, get to blogging! It's doctor's orders!
[Picture caption: Abstract painting titled the "The Writer" by Richard Baumgard pictures a figure at a desk writing.]
