People who keep diaries are more likely to suffer from headaches, sleeplessness, digestive problems and even social dysfunction, according to a small British study. Elaine Duncan of the Glasgow Caledonian University and David Sheffield of Staffordshire University compared 94 undergraduates who were regular diarists with 41 non-diarists. "We expected diary-keepers to have some benefit, or be the same, but they were the worst off," said Ms. Duncan, who presented the findings to a British Psychological Society meeting. "You are probably much better off if you don't write anything at all."



I read this out of the New Scientist the other day and it got me thinking as to why the people in this study would be worse off keeping a diary than those that don’t and what would be the differences between Bloggers and regular diarists.

Symptoms

Headaches…I would imagine that most of the diarists in this survey probably wrote in their diaries at night (probably in bed) in a small notebook which caused them to bring the diary close to their face so they could see what they were writing. Also they probably have already taken their contacts or placed their glasses away before retiring to bed. Bloggers have a much large screen or area to write on and we have the option of making the text larger on our screen

Sleeplessness…I have always had the impression that people who keep diaries write more of what’s troubling them in their lives, than what’s not. I like to use the adage…you are what you write…if you’re writing about issues that are troubling you and you’re reading them back to yourself, it’s just going to compound the issues. This would be like sitting with a Psychiatrist going over your neurosis or character disorder and not getting any constructive feed back as to how to relieve your mental anguish. This may answer why they cannot sleep well…writing only makes it persist in the conscience. Speaking for myself as a blogger, there have been odd occasions where I have written about one or two small dramas, but generally I keep my bloggs upbeat and fun (no?)…Anyway, I sleep like a baby.

Digestive Problems…Are they writing in their diaries while eating junk food or any meal. They must be savoring their words more than their food...Maybe Pizza and “dear diary” go together. We’re BTD bloggers and we know why we experience tummy troubles and it’s not from blogging…more like clogging ourselves with avoids the odd time.

Social Dysfunction…If one is unable to confide some of their personal thoughts and feelings to others and loves ones, it can be said that they are socially dysfunctional. Looking at the 18 faces on the blogger page, I can honestly say that we let many people share our lives and thoughts and we are a very empathetic and honest bunch.

Conclusion: BTD Blogging would be a cure for ailing diarists. Who says , "You are probably much better off if you don't write anything at all." …To that I reply(in my best Britsh accent)…Poppycock!!!