Medically accurate illustration of the vagus nerve. Source: Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock This Psychology Today blog post is phase four of a nine-part series called "The Vagus Nerve Survival Guide.

We know that writing with pen and paper is good for your brain. But it’s also good for your heart and soul. Researchers have found that people who practice expressive writing — that is, writing to ...

You might be amazed to discover that a simple journal ranks among your most effective wellness tools. Commonly dismissed as just a hobby, journaling harbors substantial, scientifically-supported ...

If writing about the difficult parts of your life were a drug — called "expressive writing" in the literature — it would be making bank for some faceless pharmaceutical company. The British journal ...

When I was eight, my sister bought me a notebook I’d been asking for on the condition that I write a diary entry in it every day. At first, the ideal of cool teenagers writing in pink diaries with ...

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people suffered extreme stress. People couldn’t work and faced financial anxiety, they felt lonely and isolated, they worried about catching a ...

Many of us kept a journal as kids, then gave up the habit as we grew older. But recording your experiences, thoughts, and feelings can offer you many mental and emotional benefits as an adult, and it ...

Following a divorce or separation, many people are encouraged by loved ones or health-care professionals to keep journals about their feelings. But for some, writing in-depth about those feelings ...