Psych Zoom: Wellness and Writing

Words for Well-Being: Boost Your Health Through a Wellness Writing Practice
Three Zoom Sessions
Mon., Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

Are you ready to discover a proven and creative way to boost your mental and emotional well-being? In this course, DU writing instructor Dr. Heather N. Martin offers transformative instruction designed for adults looking to support their well-being through writing. And good news: You don’t have to be a Shakespeare. “The focus is on wellness and there’s no critiques of the writing,” Martin says. She adds that guided expressive writing has been proven to reduce stress, enhance social relationships and improve academic performance. While these outcomes may not surprise you, expressive writing has also been shown to improve lung function among asthma patients, reduce pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis and reduce sleep disturbances, among a host of other wellness outcomes. Examine current research on writing and well-being to learn how journaling, reflective writing and expressive storytelling can enhance wellness. Experiment with these techniques in a supportive environment and develop a personalized wellness writing routine. By sharing stories and reflections with classmates, you connect with others, fostering compassion and collective well-being. Together, explore the healing power of shared experiences. Come away with a deeper understanding of the connection between writing and well-being, practical strategies for incorporating writing into your daily life and the joy of contributing to a wellness-focused community.

Award-winning writing professor Dr. Heather N. Martin empowers individuals to harness writing for reflection, healing and growth. Across decades of experience, she’s guided students, teachers, first responders, middle-schoolers and corporate leaders in wellness writing activities—helping thousands worldwide lead more intentional lives through writing.