Blogging Good For Your Well Being

By Mike Sachoff - Mon, 03/10/2008 - 12:01

Feel bad? Try blogging

Researchers from Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology say that blogging makes people feel happier.

Two studies examining the psychological benefits of blogging done by psychologist James Baker and Dr. Susan Moore are being published in the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior.

The studies found that blogging can help people feel less depressed in two months and that bloggers have better social support and friendship networks than those who do not blog. Blogging helped people feel more connected and less lonely. Bloggers also felt more self-confidence and had a better feeling of self-worth and were more comfortable asking others for help.

In addition to blogging helping people feel better, the study found that using social networks like MySpace or Facebook also made people feel better. Users of social networks whether they blogged or not said they felt less anxious, stressed and depressed after two months of online social networking.

" Keeping a blog is a bit like writing a diary," said Baker. "It helps people vent their emotions, talk about their feelings and problems. The difference is that while a diary is private, blogging invites feedback from others."

About the author:
Mike is a staff writer for WebProNews.

5 Comments

By Guest (WPN reader) - Wed, 03/12/2008 - 13:36

Connection is so liberating

I like what Don said about networking in general.. it's true about relationships in general.

Whether we reach out to connect with others in person or online, in a business or social setting, we are actually connecting first with ourselves and then with others. Sometimes we need to see how we look to others, like these comments on this article and on each other's thoughts, to see ourselves.

I believe we have less isolation when we are communicating and we are reminded how alike we all are and we see our differences. Whether we reach out with a positive or critical spirit, we are communicating, asking to be heard and expressing ourselves.

I love how connection works to teach us, if you are willing to listen. Whether online or offline, networking is all about connection and we bring our values with us along with our business cards and profiles. I celebrate being curious about others, genuinely caring and wanting to be of service, and connecting with like-minded people for the greater good!

Thanks to our author for bringing this research and awareness to light. Gail Sussman Miller, Chicago, Illinois

By FaTe (WPN reader) - Tue, 03/11/2008 - 15:23

yeah..^%&%...right

Nothing to do with the fact most people can't be bothered to read endless drone of everyone elses lifes when in fact for those who have one (a life) have enough to do as it is without commenting on everyone elses...

By Machinista (WPN reader) - Tue, 03/11/2008 - 11:28

monetize

... that is until you start to monetize your blog.

By blackdog (WPN reader) - Tue, 03/11/2008 - 05:32

i'm the only one?

i'm the only one that feels more anxious thanking social platforms that are full of unuseful stuff like facebook or that get too angry with lamers on the forums?

By Guest (WPN reader) - Tue, 03/11/2008 - 06:22

New Situations for Social Anxiety

I thought the research that people who use social networking platforms were overall happier and less lonely fascinating. Yet the previous comment shows that opportunities to interact are not always positive. Just as some people are anxious in live social situations, so too some are anxious in virtual social interactions. And the full range of emotional reactions are also present in virtual as in live social interactions, including anger, fear, disgust, surprise, boredom, interest, and joy. I find this equally fascinating. Thanks for sharing. Don Morris Memphis, Tennessee