Words for Wellbeing book extract

Words for Wellbeing book extract

This is a not-for-profit book. All sales revenue will go towards a re-print to spread the word further about the benefits of writing.

You can order from the Poetry Space website, which is a great website with some lovely books for sale: http://www.poetryspace.co.uk/2012/08/words-for-wellbeing-edited-by-carol-ross/

It is also possible to order direct from the publisher – email writing.year@cumbria.nhs.uk for details of how.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Words-Wellbeing-Creative-Writing-Benefit/dp/095728490X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339957047&sr=1-1

The theme of this book is using creative words to help health and wellbeing. It is an anthology of chapters, poetry and prose written by practioners and individuals, previously published and well-renowned authors and people who have never had anything published before. I know of no other book quite like this – read the contents pages to get a feel for it.

Aims of the Book:

Provide inspiration and ideas to encourage readers to try creative or expressive writing to help their health and wellbeing

Offer an introduction to different methods of using creative words therapeutically

Act as a resource for clinicians, carers, parents, educators, voluntary workers and others who want to use creative or expressive writing with individuals or groups

Encourage people to write – and read – for enjoyment

Provide an inspiring and uplifting experience

Contribute to raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health.

The Philosophy Behind Words for Wellbeing

Research shows that writing is good for our health and wellbeing, for example it can help in medical conditions as diverse as asthma, cancer and mental health. Whatever you write does you good, but it is the process of writing that is important rather than the product.

Much of the research that has been carried out shows that writing expressively about problems or unhappy memories can be helpful. What is less well known, but supported by research evidence and recommended by this book, is that writing about positive experiences and writing from the imagination can be equally beneficial.

The philosophy behind this book is to inspire the reader to write (or encourage others to write) whatever they want or need to write, in whichever style they prefer. The writing ideas are flexible and open to different interpretations, for example one person might write an imaginative poem in response to the same stimulus exercise for which someone else writes about a memory.

There are links to more extracts from the book here.