Discover the Power of Writing For Healthcare Professionals

1. Discover the Power of Writing For Healthcare Professionals Presented by Thomas J. Bridinger

2. Program Objectives • To examine the power of writing for mental, physical, and spiritual health • To describe how writing can generate positive outcomes for self and patients as healthcare providers

3. CAUTION: Humor is used throughout this writing program because of its direct physical and psychological effect on the body and brain! Adapted from Karyn Buxman, RN, MS Physical functions of humor and laughter: Respiratory & Circulatory System: increases respiratory activity and oxygen exchange; stimulates heart rate and blood pressure; increases blood flow throughout the body Immune System: heightens levels of Immungolobulin A (an important antibody to fight infection); increases spontaneous lymphocyte blastogenesis (a natural killer cell activity transforming smaller into larger lymphocytes) Musculoskeletal System: stimulates muscles and relaxes muscle tension; decreases physical pain many Digestive System: improves peristalsis (movement of the digestive tract) with the massage of internal organs Nervous System: coordinates the senses; stimulates both hemispheres of the brain; enhances release of catecholamine hormones, resulting in increased levels of alertness; encourages memory learning and creativity – Tears also provide exocrine response, carrying away toxins found in cells under stress

4. Writing can bring balance….. How do you turn right-side up??? “Script-cheer” ~ The Functions of Humor Physiological:Humor acts as a major coping mechanism – relieving tension, serving as an outlet for anger, providing a healthy escape from reality, and lightening the heaviness of illness, trauma, and death. Social:Humor can lessen the hierarchy between individuals, establish rapport, and decrease social distance. Communication:Humor can help convey information, open the door for communication by bringing up a secretly serious subject. You can get “right” (and in balance) by “write”-ing!

5. Writing can reduce stress (uncontrolled stress can lower the immune system) Writing can reduce anxiety (the more you tell your story, the quicker the anxiety lessens) Writing can lesson other emotional responses such as anger (continued, hyperbolic writing) Writing can clear the mind and help us acquire and remember new information (writing involves the cognitive process – the process of thinking) Writing can be a problem solver and lead to solutions (assimilation of new ideas) Writing can help an individual to isolate an event (i.e., tragedy, etc.) and to make that event an individual experience, not a lifelong deterrent! W R I T I N G

6. Adapted from work by Kathleen Adams1. Immediacy and availability2. Catharsis and insight3. Unconditional acceptance and silent friend4. Observe health-enhancing cycles and patterns5. Get to know the real “ewe” (Enthusiasm, Willpower, & Self-Esteem)6. Strengthen intuition and inner guidance7. Expand creativity, spontaneity, assimilation (Think It ~ Ink It!)8. Self-empowerment and self-esteem ~ develops self-reliance and self responsibility9. Release past hurts and judgments10. Witness to healing ~ on-going ~ progress~ reassurance ~ referential WhY WrItE?

7. Have a problem? Weight? Expand your mind – not your waist! Smoking? Hold the light – write! Drugs? The perfect preSCRIPTion drug! Drinking? Don’t drink it – ink it! Stress? Stress is like chess – you need to make the write moves!

8. Exercise #1 The turtle only makes progress when he sticks his neck out! • To Plan Purposely • To Proceed Positively • To Pursue Persistently • To Plant Patiently • To Pray Passionately • To Play Perpetually An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word “to” plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Based on a verb, it therefore expresses action or a state of being.

9. Exercise #2 ACRONYM: According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate dictionary, an acronym is: a word (such as NATO, radar, or snafu) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term. Start your own list… EWE – Enthusiasm, Willpower, Self-Esteem TWA – Think It, Write It, Act on It TLC – Think, Laugh, Cry EVER – Ever Vulnerable yet Ever Resilient

10. Exercise #3 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ A – ACKNOWLEDGE B – BELIEVE C – CONCEIVE D – …. Start your own “ABC” list and finish the sentence… You can also use infinitives (infinitive to achieve) in this exercise to make your words more powerful… “To acknowledge that I will ….” “To believe that I will …” Positive words = positive health

11. How do I get it “write”? Important Points… • Write on colorful paper – you are colorful • Write in cursive – you are free-flowing • Write “up”, at a slant, on the paper – you are lifting up your writings and thoughts

12. How do I get it “write”? Important Points… • Write how it sounds – it doesn’t “knead” to be spell-checked • Write your favorite quotes, your own acronyms, your own success and motivation • Write anything and everything – you are in control and you are always “write”

13. Presenter Information: Tom Bridinger, "Mr. Write", is a recognized educator and motivator.  He instructs in verbal, visual and manual components.  He holds a teaching degree from Temple University and Master of Arts in Education from Heidelberg University. He has taught at the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels. Mr. Bridinger also holds Handwriting Analyst Certification and Bereavement Pastoral Certification. • Tom “Mr. Write” Bridinger • Address: 914 East County Road 36 Tiffin, Ohio 44883 • Phone: 419-443-1957 • Webpage: www.feelingwrite.com • Email: feelingwrite@yahoo.com Video Presentation by : Alex Doepker & Brady Doepker 419-205-2400 - 419-205-1311 Email: alexdoepker@gmail.com PowerPoint Presentation by: Sandra Terry Email: sterry@communityhospicecare.com

14. Whythe turtle? You see the turtle as a symbol throughout this program from Mr. Bridinger.  The turtle was originally used to describe Tom's foot speed, however, he has taken the turtle to the finish line.  The turtle exudes patience, perseverance and protection.  The turtle has a hard shell for protection, but can also stick his neck out.  The turtle is an amphibious creature; it can tread water (even during the roughest parts), and enjoy land.  In the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, the turtle wins because of his inner qualities.

15. Adams, K. (1990). Journal to the self: 22 paths to personal growth. New York: Warner Books.Baldwin, C. (1990). Life’s companion: Journal writing as spiritual quest. New York: Bantam. Bender, S. (2000). A year in the life: Journaling for self-discovery. Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press.Bennett, H.Z. (2001). Write from the heart: Unleashing the power of your creativity. Novato, CA: New World Library.Bolton, G., et al., Eds. (2004). Writing cures: An introductory handbook of writing in counseling and psychotherapy. London: Brunner-Routledge. Capacchione, L. (1991). The creative journal: The art of finding yourself (2nd ed.). Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books.Chavis, G. & Weisberger, L., Eds. (2002). The healing fountain: Poetry therapy across life’s journey. St. Cloud, MN: North Star Press.De Salvo, L. (1999). Writing as a way of healing: How telling our stories transforms our lives. San Francisco, CA: Harper Collins. Geiss, C. & Jessup, C. (2002). Inner outings: The diarists deck of 33 cards and book of exploration. Novato, CA: New World Library. Gendler, J.R. (1984). The book of qualities. Berkley, CA: Turquoise Mountain Publications. Writing References

16. Writing References Hjelmstad, L.T. (1993). Fine black lines: Reflections on facing cancer, fear, and loneliness. Englewood, CO: Mulberry Press. Holzer, B.N. (1994). A walk between heaven and earth: A personal journal on writing and the creative process. New York, NY: Belltower. Ibid. (1998). The way of the journal: A Journal therapy workbook for healing (2nd ed.). Lutherville MD: Sidran Press. Ibid. (1999). Writing as therapy. Counseling & Human Development, 31 (5). Ibid. (2000). The write way to wellness: A workbook for healing and change. Denver: Center for Journal Therapy.Ibid. (2004). Scribing the soul: Essays in journal therapy. Denver: Center for Journal Therapy. Ibid. (2005). Storycatcher: Making sense of our lives through the power and practice of story. New York: New World Library. Kline, A. (1989). The healing power of humor. New York: Tarcher/Putnam. Klug, R. (2002). How to keep a spiritual journal: A guide to journal keeping for inner growth and personal discovery. Augsburg Press. Kovacs, E. (2001). Writing with multiple intelligences: Creative opportunities for teachers, writers, and therapists. Portland, OR: Blue Heron Publishing.

17. Writing References Lepore, S.J. & Smith, J.M., Eds. (2002). The writing cure: How expressive writing promotes health and emotional well-being. Washington, DC: The APA. McGinnis, R. (2005). Writing the sacred: A Psalm-inspired path to appreciating and writing sacred poetry. BC, Canada: Northstone Publishing. Metcalf, L.T. & Simon, T. (2002). Writing the mind alive: The proprioceptive method for finding your authentic voice. New York: Ballantine Publishing Co. Pennebaker, J. (1990). Opening up: The healing power of emotions. New York: Guilford Press. Pennebaker, J. (2004). Writing to heal: A guided journal for recovering from trauma and emotional upheaval. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Progoff, I. (1992). At a journal workshop. Los Angeles: JP Tarcher. Rainer, T. (1979). The New Diary. Los Angeles: JP Tarcher. Reeves, J. (1999). A writer’s book of days: A spirited companion and live muse for the writing life. Novato, CA: New World Library. Reeves, J. (2001). Writing alone, writing together: A guide for writers and writing groups. Novato, CA: New World Library. Spiegel, D. (1999). Healing words: Emotional expression and disease outcome. Journal of American Medical Association. 281 (14), 1328-1329.