Poetry is a form of creative writing and self-expression that has been around for centuries, passed down from generation to generation. Poetry, with all its different metaphors and expressions, has resonated with people for so long. How does poetry relate to mental health?
Poetry
Due to its nature as a creative writing technique, poetry has been used by people of different backgrounds, cultures, age groups, professions, and genders as a technique to express themselves and their feelings. Poetry has been used for many purposes over the years. It has been used to express love, to express desire, to tell history, and to tell life stories.
Why is it beneficial?
Poetry, whether written professionally or as a hobby, has many benefits for those who pursue writing it:
- Improves cognition
- Helps heal emotional pain
- Provides a good form of expression
- Leads to greater self-awareness
- Provides a good education
What about mental health?
As iterated already, poetry is a good way to express feelings. Many poets have written about their emotions and deepest desires. Many poets have written poems that discuss mental health and what it is like to experience certain mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and even OCD.
While journaling is a strongly recommended form of mindfulness practice, poetry can act as something similar to it. If you feel like adding a twist to you jotting down your feelings, try writing a poem. The nice thing about poetry is that you are able to write it in so many different ways – rhyming or free verse, with a meter or without a meter. Sometimes, writing your feelings in a form of a “fun” activity can help you express your thoughts more efficiently.
Furthermore, besides writing the poem yourself, it may be beneficial to read or listen to poems that talk about certain issues that you are facing regularly. Sometimes, hearing words that you would have said yourself can help you feel more validated and less alone.