It's Great Poetry Day!

Explore the world of poetry as another way to boost your emotional wellbeing.

(Written for http://www.wellbeing.place/home/2021/4/27/five-tips-to-enjoy-poetry-and-books)

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

-Robert Frost

For centuries, poets have found ways to talk beautifully about mental health, emotions and the world around us. Poetry can be one of the most beautiful forms of written and spoken language. It can help you talk about and give shape to difficult feelings, like grief, depression and heartache. Through its comfortable format, it allows you to navigate and confront your innermost thoughts, emotions and struggles, as well as provide a safe space for you to share them with others. 


Today on Great Poetry Day, it is the perfect time to celebrate poets and their works, as well as try your hand at writing some yourself as a method of self-care and relaxation:


  • It’s not too late to invite people over for a poetry reading, either in person or over a video call today. Pick your favorite poems and read them aloud.

  • Go to the library and check out a poem anthology you’ve been wanting to read but haven’t gotten around to yet. 

  • Try your hand at writing a poem and share it with friends. 

  • Start up or join a poetry club and share your love of reading with others.

  • If you don’t have as much time as you would like to spend reading, you can listen to poems instead. Poetry Foundation provides free daily audio recordings of classic and contemporary poems read by poets and actors. It can be the perfect way to start your day, or have it on in the background while you work, drive or clean around the house.


Start today by reading a poem or two in the morning to relax before work, or in the evening to unwind. By making poetry a part of your daily life it can help you reduce stress, build your vocabulary and improve your memory, as well as give you a safe place to cope.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Double Life of Infertility - Podcast Guest Speaker

I had the amazing opportunity to be on a podcast with two of my lovely friends and work colleagues, and share openly about infertility; some of its ups and downs, ways to reduce stigma, how we can support others, and some resources to help you or a loved one cope. <3 Thank you Tami West , and Gracey Lichtenstein, for providing a safe, caring space to discuss such an essential topic! The Double Life of Infertility Podcast Episode
Read more

Can I Opt Out of Playing?

Image
The club no one wants to be a part of, yet 1 in 5 individuals (1 in 8 couples) experience: infertility. I'll share more of the ups and downs of our most recent IVF journey (five years and counting) when I have the time and energy to type it all out. In the meantime, this humorously sums up the infertility journey pretty well.    
Read more

What is Caregiver Stress Syndrome?

Image
Get extra support while caregiving. (Written for http://www.wellbeing.place/home/2021/7/21/what-is-caregiver-stress-syndrome ) Caregiving can be very rewarding. However, it’s a reality that the extra responsibilities and time commitment are difficult to manage. Caregiver Stress Syndrome sets in when these additional demands leave you feeling chronically exhausted - physically, mentally and emotionally. Experiencing this condition is not uncommon.  The key is to make your own health a priority so you can continue to provide care to your loved one. To do this, it is likely you’ll need some assistance from others. Consider enlisting support from these groups:  Family : Help with tasks like cleaning the house, dropping off a meal or providing transportation to a doctor’s appointment can free up time for self-care.  Friends : Be intentional about connecting with your support network. It may not be possible to attend book group, but you could still call in for the first few min...
Read more