This got me to thinking about what poetry can do to calm us. While I doubt anyone is going to be reading or writing poems while practicing some choice swanlike Tai Chi moves, I do know that poems do take me to a better place within my mind, leaving me feeling renewed.
How is this possible, and by what poetic means could it do so?
A study incorporating poetry workshops in Cambridge and Las Vegas exhibited success in using poetry to deal with mental health issues, as well as loneliness. Sharing feelings developed a sense of community with those who participated. Some fear, anxiety, and stress was shown in the study to be lowered by the reading and writing of poems.
Other studies have also shown poetry to have alleviated pain intensity in cancer patients, improved memory, and helped children deal with emotions to cope with challenges.
Many use music for this purpose… playing classical music in nursing homes soothes troubled days. It has also been proven that music in the workplace increases productivity and morale. Poetry could be also be considered music without a voice or instruments, conveying feelings and emotions to cool one out on a bad day.
Poems about water, bird songs, sunsets, clouds, wooded areas, mountains, flowers, and various other aspects of nature seem to be effective in evoking peaceful imagery. Just as the sound of water is known to bring those anxiety levels down… words describing water can as well.
Fantasy poems can be relaxing. Just as the mind dreams in sleep of desires and comforts, so can words of poetry evoke similar calming illusions to bring satiation. Forests of fairy sprites, happenings in Celtic castles, a romantic rendezvous,… any of which can initiate some daydreaming to take it all down a notch. Is this not what some poetry does?
Do you think this is possible? Are there other forms of poetry that take you to that patient place of relaxation and escape? Perhaps even enhances your capacity to perform tasks better after having read them?
I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave any comments below and let’s talk about how poetry can bring you balance and clarity… without one Tai Chi lesson... or maybe having one would be a great idea after all….! Thank you for reading!
Matt Elmore
Image from: Unsplash
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7447694/
Definitely, I write so that my soul can heal. Therapists often give instructions to use journals for therapy. It's the same thing for me. I've done so since my childhood. At 70 years of age, it's still my favorite option.
ReplyDeleteHi Imelda! It is so cleansing to write down emotions construed in such a fancy way as to not only identify what you are feeling, but also to reconcile any difficulties you have in doing so…. often revealing some hidden aspect you hadn’t even realized deep in your subconscious. I imagine some of those notebooks of yours are beyond journaling! Your writing is always so riveting!
DeleteA fabulous piece Matt. I agree writing definitely relaxes and eases the stresses we feel and writing in Invisible poets has brought about a great supportive community. X
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your thoughts Donna. I know that writing poetry has helped me identify and shore up a number of cracks in my armor. The support offered in both the Invisible Poets and Wheelsong Poetry Facebook groups continues to be encouraging and uplifting… the most beautiful aspect of both poet communities. Thanks for everything you do dear colleague!
DeleteI totally agree, relaxing to my mind out senses as dogs or kittens are in nursing homes, some people drive with their pets on their laps, I don't agree while driving but it rejaxes them. In POETRY writing poems on comfulort can be confusing... I'll write you one later, a different source. I'm in my 🚌 right now. Where do you want the poem put? ✍️💜 I LOVED 😍 your article shared. Thank you! 💜
ReplyDeleteHello Shee!! Finding our comfort zones when we are writing is so important, and I’m so happy you pointed that out Shee! Having the right feeling as you write really can drive a poem, especially when you are using it as a way to vent or just get those feelings out. Those poetic lines are like the puppies breath of healing! Thank you for reading so much!
DeleteIn the movie 'ROADHOUSE' Patrick ( RIP, You are so missed) He did Tai Chi moves near the barn, in the field near the lake across the town troublemaker. Watch his slow moves... PEACEEEE... ✌️
ReplyDeleteBlessings Beyond All, Sheila G 🌹✍️
Yes… and it came in handy later when him and Sam Elliot had to knock those rowdies blocks off!! Haha!! Too funny Shelia… a collective OOOOMMMM… 🙂
Delete