how storytelling fuels better health
by writing personal stories, sharing them or reading them, you can powerfully impact your own health and wellness
Storytelling has been an integral part of human communication for thousands of years. From ancient myths to modern movies, stories have captivated and entertained us. Stories do more than enrich our lives with entertainment, they teach us about each other and ourselves. But how does storytelling impact health?
Storytelling connects us with others and often helps us navigate a path forward. Research has shown that storytelling can be an effective tool in promoting health and wellness. For example, a study published in the Journal of Health Communication found that patients who received a narrative intervention, which included personal stories from other patients, were more likely to adhere to their treatment regimen than those who did not receive the intervention. We learn from other people’s experience and develop a sense of community.
Similarly, storytelling can be a powerful tool in promoting healthy behaviors. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that an interactive digital storytelling intervention was effective in promoting physical activity among older adults. This type of merger of technology and the healthcare space motivates people to take an active part in their own healthcare. Storytelling has been used to help with many health conditions from heart disease to cancer.
But why does storytelling work? One reason is that stories are more memorable than facts and figures. When we hear a story, we are more likely to remember the information conveyed than if we were simply presented with a list of statistics. Additionally, stories can help us to connect emotionally with the information being presented. This emotional connection helps motivate us to take action to achieve or avoid a similar health outcome.
So, whether you are looking to improve patient outcomes or an individual looking to promote healthy behaviors, consider incorporating storytelling into your approach. By writing personal stories, sharing them or reading them, you can powerfully impact your own health and wellness as well as that of those around you.
Storytelling Can Improve Your Health
Storytelling is an ancient art form that has been used for centuries to convey important messages and entertain people. Here are some ways that storytelling can help improve your health:
Reducing stress levels: Listening to a story can help reduce stress levels and provide a calming effect. For example, listening to a story or reading a book at bedtime can help you relax and fall asleep faster. Another way is journaling at night which can help process the day’s stressors and find gratitude for the joyful moments.
Improving memory: Stories can help improve memory retention by providing a context for information. For example, reading a story about somebody with a similar health struggle can help you see a path forward better than just reading a list of health facts. As a bonus, reading more helps keep your brain active.
Enhancing empathy: Hearing stories about other people's experiences can help increase empathy and understanding towards others. For example, hearing about someone's struggle may help you relate to them on a deeper level.
Boosting creativity: Storytelling can help boost creativity by allowing the listener to imagine and visualize new ideas. For example, hearing a story about a new invention to tackle common problems can inspire you to come up with new ideas of your own and also support brain health.
Promoting healing: Stories can be used as a form of therapy to help people heal from emotional trauma. For example, hearing a story about someone who overcame a similar issue can provide hope and encouragement. Furthermore, writing about your own health experience can help you heal and make sense of your experience. Lastly, sharing your health story can help you find support, meaning, and connection with others who are going through or who have been through similar experiences.
Overall, storytelling can have numerous benefits for your health and well-being. Whether you're listening to a story, sharing a story or telling one yourself, it's a great way to improve your mental and emotional health.
A Path Forward
Podcasts and books are simple, accessible ways to access the storytelling and health connection. Here is a health story:
A few years ago, Cindy, a 45-year-old woman, came to see me after battling chronic back pain with unpredictable, debilitating pain flares for over two decades. She had tried anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and pain pills. At times, these gave her temporary, slight relief but always left her with side effects, from heartburn and constipation to daytime sleepiness. On some days she could not even get dressed by her- self because of the pain. Cindy lived in fear of her back “going out.” She continued to work and to care for her loved ones, but she stopped caring for herself. To try to avoid pain flares, she stopped exercising, hiking with her friends, and doing other fun activities. The pain seeped into every aspect of her life. Cindy lived in fear — isolated, inactive, and unhappy. Slowly she put on weight, and this worsened not only her pain but also her diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. While she was able to manage the dull, constant pain, the seemingly unpredictable, severe flares brought her to her knees several times a year. She was tired of ineffective medications with troublesome side effects. Cindy wanted to feel better and live better.
-excerpt from The Pain Solution
Stories like this help us connect and problem-solve. They may leave us wanting to read on to see what Cindy does next so we can consider that in our own lives too. We can learn and grow from understanding other people’s missteps and successes.
Health Narrative Journal Prompts
Keeping a health narrative journal can be a great way to track your health journey and reflect on your progress. Here are some health narrative journal prompts to get you started:
Describe a recent experience where you felt proud of yourself for making a healthy choice. How did it make you feel? What motivated you to make that choice?
Write about a challenge you have faced in your health journey. What steps have you taken to overcome this challenge? Are there any lessons you have learned along the way?
Reflect on your relationship with food. How has your relationship with food and tastes changed over time?
Write about a form of exercise or physical activity that you enjoy. What benefits do you find from this activity? How does it make you feel?
Describe a time when you felt stressed or overwhelmed. How did you cope with these feelings? Were there any self-care practices that helped you feel better?
Write about a health goal you have set for yourself. What steps are you taking to achieve it? What challenges have you encountered along the way?
Describe a moment in your life when you experienced a significant mental health challenge. How did it impact your overall well-being? What steps did you take to overcome it?
Write about a person or experience that has had a significant impact on your understanding of health and wellness. How has this impacted your own health practices?
Remember, your health narrative journal is a safe, private space for you to reflect on your health journey. Be honest with yourself and write from the heart. Since journaling is a personal process, please adapt these prompts to best suit your needs.
A Custom, Healthy Aging Plan
Supporting a long healthspan and lifespan depend on your daily emotional, mental, and physical health activities. It is part of the complete Relief-5R plan: refuel (nutrition), revitalize (movement), recharge (restorative sleep), refresh (stress management and mindset), and relate (relationships and purpose). This is better living for busy people, and boosts your physical, mental, and emotional health.
We have the power to take back control of our health and thrive! For practical ways to support longevity for you and your loved ones, check out the award-winning guide: The Pain Solution: 5 Steps to Relieve and Prevent Back Pain, Muscle Pain, and Joint Pain without Medication.
Cheers to owning your health and living better!
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This piece is for education only and is not medical advice.
Any health changes must be discussed with your own physician.
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References
Kreuter MW, Green MC, Cappella JN, Slater MD, Wise ME, Storey D, et al. Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control: a framework to guide research and application. Journal of Health Communication. 2007;12(7): 7-19.
King AC, Goldberg JH, Salmon J, Owen N, Dunstan D, Weber D, et al. Identifying subgroups of U.S. adults at risk for prolonged television viewing to inform program development. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2010;38(1):17-26.
Kim H, Xie B. Health storytelling in the digital age. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2017;19(3):e64.
"Mental Health Basics" by Mental Health America (https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-basics)
"Setting Goals for a Healthy Lifestyle" by the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/goal-setting-for-a-healthy-lifestyle)
"The Social Determinants of Health" by the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/social_determinants/sdh_definition/en/)
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