If you’re a blogger and you just read the title Blogging is Good For Your Health, I’m sure you’re very skeptical, yes? But it is actually a proven scientific fact. Since I started blogging early last year, I’ve lost a bunch of weight and my mental state of mind has never been clearer. I truly feel that blogging is one of the reasons that I do feel so healthy and stronger than ever before. At least mentally. My flabby body could use a good workout — but for now, I sit and type, informing all of you some of what I’ve learned over the last year and a half.
Blogging = Therapy.
Blogging Provides a Built-in Support-Group.
When I first started blogging, I was aware of bloggers, as in, individual bloggers, but I didn’t realize the depth of the support I’d receive from this unique community. I do have off-weeks where I struggle to find the time to give as well as receive, but whenever I do make a point to comment on every blog in my blogroll, the feedback is almost always positive. The community of bloggers is very strong, and most of them have developed such an incredible sense of humor and heartfelt-honesty, I can’t wait to read many of their posts. Even if I occasionally envy their seemingly unobtainable level of awesome.
As much as I love to write, I don’t know if I would have kept up with this blog, writing consistently 2-3 times a week on average for the last year and a half, without my fellow bloggers’ support. Like some forms of therapy, the blogging support group has kept my head on straight, without taking myself, or life too seriously.
Blogging Keeps Me Out of My Fridge at 3p.
Before I was a blogger, I’d hit that dreaded 3p wall. I’d have shit to do, but I’d do the procrastination dance into my fridge, pantry, whathaveyou. And once I’d eat one snack, I wouldn’t stop until I started making dinner, then I’d taste this or that… ugh. I really feel like snacking was preventing me from losing weight.
How is this related to blogging?
Instead of raiding the fridge or pantry at 3p, I crack open my computer instead. I can find plenty to do in order to avoid my responsibilities of emptying the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry, #mustIgoon? I can compose a rant or funny post of brilliance, I can read other blogs, I can be social on twitter, FB, Pinterest, etc.
I’m not saying that blogging was the only reason I lost weight, but eliminating the afternoon nosh-fest definitely contributed to my current normal-sized physique. This is a beautiful contribution to my happiness. My fat ass needed to lose those 50lbs, and although I tried to put on a happy face behind all that fat, I was miserable carrying that extra weight around. Not having to worry about my fat rolls in this pair of jeans or how many chins are showing when I have a conversation gives me such a feeling of freedom. I’m not saying you need to starve yourself — but if you need to lose weight, try eating 3 healthy meals you enjoy instead of snacking for a month. Open your laptop instead of the fridge or pantry. #tryit
Blogging Helps You Stay Organized.
How is organization good for your health? Think about it: don’t you feel better overall when you have some level of organization going for you? I know I do. Being able to collect not only my thoughts, but pictures and events isn’t something I had a good handle on before I started blogging. The iPhoto collection on my laptop is, and may always be a mess of pictures. I know I should add folders to organize my photos better, but who has the time for that shit? Blogging allows me to actually sleep better knowing that I have chronicled some pretty amazing moments with my family & friends. Participating in some memes, such as Capture the Everyday forces me to slow down, capture & embrace all of these moments as well. Trust me, my brain has enough to worry about, but knowing that I have published some incredible events and moments over the last year and a half has helped me eliminate that worry from my mind.
Do you feel blogging is good for your health? How has it positively contributed to your life?
7 Comments
I totally agree… At least 75% of why I blog is for myself. I’m incapable of keeping a real journal, so this does it for me. I can refer back to old posts to “remember” certain events. Even better than a paper journal; it’s searchable and has pictures. My blog also helps me obtain focus on various projects I have around the house since I often post about those.
The other thing I like about blogging is the writing aspect. I may not be the best writer, but I really enjoy the act of crafting prose, reading it back to myself, using a thesaurus, etc. It pleases the nerd in me.
On the down side: I often find that I’m reading blogs about doing cool projects rather than DOING the cool projects myself! But I’m working on that. 🙂
Thanks, Vanessa! It truly is amazing how life-altering blogging can be. Mostly positives!!! I hear ya on the DIY projects though… same here. I’m too busy keeping up with my writing!
This is a wonderful post, Kelly! Despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to “do” in the blogosphere, some of the reasons you mentioned are exactly why I continue!
Thanks so much, Melissa! Blogging can be very overwhelming at times, but if you go at your own pace and do what you can to keep it positive, there’s much to be grateful for!
You’re so right, Kelly! I love what blogging has given me and how it’s helped me. Being a mom and a working mom is hard for me and blogging is def my form of therapy!! Right on sister!
(Ugh, I write this really long comment and then my computer crashed.)
Anywho, nice post!
Blogging and I have a love/hate relationship right now…or more accurately my URL and I have this fight and it’s bleeding over into my blogging.
But, as someone home with a child all day and a job where I am to be seen not heard. And, it’s against my profession’s code of ethics to voice my opinion. I love that blogging has given me a voice, and for that I will be forever grateful.
And what a wonderful voice you have to share with the world… especially this month. So grateful for your voice and your Pay It Forward series, Alissa. For those of you interested in following Alissa’s daily posting PIF experiment this month, I highly recommend checking out http://havestrollerwilltravel.com !