As an adult, talking about books you've read or conversations you've had can continue to boost your own language and understanding of certain topics and subjects – we never stop learning! You might not have time to start reading War and Peace, but embracing the everyday stories around you can do wonders for your wellbeing.
When you talk about your own experiences, it can help you find comfort and understanding.
According to research, sharing stories about you and your own family can help you communicate your thoughts and feelings, which can improve your mental health.[3] When things are talked about with others, there is a chance you’ll feel inspired and reassured by others who may be going through similar things.[4]
Stories don’t have to be real. How often have you drifted into a world of your own and fantasised about winning the lottery or escaping to a dream destination?
If you can, find a moment each day to let your mind wander. When the everyday life is taken away, your mind can enter a world where any story can be imagined, with nothing limiting its potential. Look out of the window and imagine turning a run-of-the-mill event into the start of an exciting plot. The mistaken milk delivery or mysterious van parked on your road... what's the story behind that?!
Sharing these thoughts with others can also feel exciting, and they’ll probably energise your friends too!
Stories inspire us and some have the ability to move our hearts and minds.[2]
They can take you on unexpected journeys and open doors you never knew existed. Sometimes, hearing stories in the news might resonate with you and drive you to act; remaining in your mind and motivating you to make a difference in someone else's life.
Perhaps stopping to look at a photo on your wall and remembering the story or event behind why it was taken will give you a prompt to message that family member or friend who was with you at the time.
That’s the power of stories.
References:
[1] F. Rose. (2011). The Art of Immersion: Why Do We Tell Stories? Wired.
[2] Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: Children's Integrated Therapies. (2021) Telling stories.
[3] J.M. Adler, J. Lodi-Smith, F.L. Philippe, I. Houle. (2016) The Incremental Validity of Narrative Identity in Predicting Well-Being: A Review of the Field and Recommendations for the Future. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2016;20(2):142-175.
[4] Mental Health Foundation UK (2022) Tell Us Your Stories.