Article Summary

In the article “Writing Your Way to Happiness”, Tara  (2015) states that writing one’s own experience can develop physical and mental health. The author believes that our world outlook and self-positioning depends on these personal statements. Stanford researchers once carried out a study on the college freshmen. Results showed that writing could encourage people and give them confidence towards their future. Tara(2015) also mentions that writing can help people to face the difficulties in their life truly. By taking example of a woman Siri in the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, she realised her real problems through writing. Thus, it is asserted in the article that writing indeed helps you recognize what hinders you and give you a chance to change them.

Tara  (2015) states that Stanford researchers once carried an study about asking a part of African-American students to keep dairy or video to be seen by future students. The results have showed that the African-American students who cared about writing or video everyday achieved better grades.

It is also stated in the article, a woman named Siri initially wanted to improve her fitness, but as the primary breadwinner for her family she had to work long hours and already felt guilty about time spent away from her children. After prompting, she eventually wrote a new story, based on the same facts but with a more honest assessment of why she doesn’t exercise. The truth was that she did not like to exercise and also did not value her health enough. She used work and the kids as excuses to her lack of fitness.

References

Tara Parker-Pope. (2015, Jan 19). Writing Your Way to Happiness [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/writing-your-way-to-happiness/?_r=1&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Health&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=Blogs