Sunday Edition: Writing Your Way to Sleep

Josh Gondelman talks with psychologist Dr. James Pennebaker about the science of expressive writing, why finger-writing works as well as pen and paper, and how putting an upsetting thought into words can help you fall right back to sleep.What You'll HearThe Journal Entry That Cut Doctor Visits in Half: Dr. Pennebaker traces his research back to a 1984 study where college students who wrote about traumatic experiences got sick, and visited the doctor, half as often as those who wrote about nothing in particular — and slept better, too.Blowing Off Steam vs. Actually Figuring It Out: The people who benefit most from a midnight journaling session aren't the ones who feel like they've vented, they're the ones who walk away saying "now I understand why." Pennebaker explains why turning a spiraling thought into an actual sentence forces your brain to build a story, and why that story is what finally lets you stop chewing on it.Be Your Own Scientist (No Rules Required): Don't worry about handwriting, spelling, or sounding smart. Pennebaker's advice is to just start writing and see what works for you, whether that's a diary entry, a poem, or even writing in the air with your finger.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & welcome to Dr. James Pennebaker01:43 How he got into the psychology of journaling02:34 The 1984 study: writing about trauma cuts doctor visits in half07:28 How to get started without feeling self-conscious12:44 Sofija's fairy-tale approach, and why fiction can heal too19:41 A closing prescription: write for 15 minutes and go back to sleepFor the fully immersive, phone free light + sound experience, learn more at hatch.co. Follow us on TikTok @hatchpodcasts and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.