How is Poetry Good for Your Health?
Poetry from time immemorial has been known to have a unique power that influences the thoughts and emotional wellbeing of a human being. Its ability to stir emotions and captivate the human spirit with its artistic expression not only sparks introspection but it is also therapeutic.
By evoking deep emotions, it positively impacts on one’s health and well-being.
This article will discuss the benefits of this ancient art to one’s health. The power it provides forms an avenue for one to express themselves freely as it provides a calm space where tranquillity reigns.
Read on to uncover how poetry can impact on your mental health by providing holistic wellness.
Benefits of poetry to a healthy life
- Mind stimulant
Poetry jogs your brain; it is a stimulant that improves the cognitive function. When you read out the poetic verses, it keeps those mental gears turned on. It has a way of unravelling the complexities of the mind and manifesting inner struggles. Poetry is a therapy which can infuse tranquility into the mind, through meditation and self-awareness thereby uplifting your spirits.
- Emotional resilience
Life has its ups and downs, but poetry has got you covered. It is an anchor to help you build resilience through its well thought out verses, which can inject positive vibes and improve your moods. Even when someone has experienced a traumatic incident, the power of poetry has ability to bring a healing. It is a mighty weapon that can help a person to confront the battles in his mind with courage.
- Self-discovery
Writing or reading poetry brings about a sense of deep soul searching. The journey helps in personal development, because you will get to establish different traits you possess. This makes it easy to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and put in place interventions to correct the weaknesses while improving on your strengths. It is a way of having a heart-to-heart conversation where you delve into your inner world and bring out hidden insights that help shape your thoughts and experiences.
- Stress management
The beauty of poetry language is that it can act as a coping strategy when one is undergoing stress. When stressed out, you can engage the rhythmic language of poetry for its calming effect. Stress can distract you from focusing your energy on developing yourself, so when in such a situation, you can take a poetic pause. The poetic words have ability to soothe your mind and calm the nerves, offering you a moment of peace and tranquility in the middle of chaos.
- Learning of different cultures
Poetry tells tales from different cultures and help one to learn how people from the other side of the globe lead their lives. Reading through poetry means one will get to learn stories from the distant lands, how people relate, their practices and their ways of living. This makes it easy to connect with the other side of the society from the comfort of your home. It also makes it possible to understand people by putting yourself in their shoes.
- Enhances self-expression
Are you an introvert or lack words to express yourself in front of a crowd? Don’t fret, for poetry has your back. It can help you articulate your issues without fear, by providing you with a safe space to pour out your heart and soul. Poetry helps you express your emotions, thoughts and feelings without seeking permission from anyone. In this way, it helps you to put your foot down and let your presence be known.
- Promote creativity
Reading poetry creates an avenue for developing critical thinking skills. It is not only an exercise to the mind but also a source that engages the it in deep thoughts and helps in resolving the mysteries of life. By reading and writing poetry daily, you get to learn more about trending stories, news, words, extraordinary feats and tales of victory that can help enhance your creativity.
- Promotes empathy and compassion
Imagine someone who is struggling to make a better life for themselves in the middle of a chaotic world. With a listening ear you can help them ease the difficult journey, but when you take a pen and put down on paper some verses of inspiration and read out to them, you help alleviate their suffering in some way. Thus, poetry is an ingredient that can turn someone into a caring person full of understanding, one who can see others through the eyes of compassion.
- Connecting with our history
Our ancestors passed their feats and struggles through songs, stories, riddles and poetry. When we delve into the verses of poetry, we get to connect with our history and learn about how they lived, how they overcame different challenges they faced; their victories and losses. Poetic flows through our minds and transport us to the era of our ancestors, where we can put ourselves in their shoes and get to feel what they felt.
Conclusion
The transformative effects of poetry outweigh its demerits and they are not only fascinating but also significant. It brings a relief to anxious person when he engages with a verse put on paper, words which uplift and channels a positive feeling to the inner soul. Poetry offers a platform to overall well-being of a person especially mental health. By embracing poetry as a tool for self-discovery and connection, one can unveil an endless world of possibilities for personal growth and well-being.
There is a connection between poetry and health as words filled with wisdom and deep thoughts have ability to cultivate resilience and promote mindfulness. Through therapeutic verses, an individual can embrace the joy of learning to manage stress, through its calming effect which provides a peaceful space for the mind to relax. It also helps in connecting with history of forbearers and overcome tribulations of the world. The power of poetry is a guiding light in the journey of life, a sanctuary where every individual can find healing and inspiration for the mind, body, and soul. Therefore, whenever you have a bad day, read to poetry.
Have a poetic day