“Writing poetry together heals loneliness. What is true for someone on the deepest level is often true for us all. Reading a poem aloud and listening to the poems of others can heal the alienation which is so much a part of our world.” 

– Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

In an age of developing technology and medical advancements, the relevance of poetry or similar creative expression seem all but redundant. Surely, in a serious profession like healthcare, we do not have the time to take such unorthodox modalities with much seriousness. Not when the quality of a human life depends on it. It appears to many that these ancient healing practices have simply had their day; they have been proven irelevant and obsolete in a pharmaceutically dominated field. 

But yet, poetry is making a comeback. Thanks to a growing movement of research, we are rediscovering the power and potency of holistic tools like poetry, movement and the arts. We are learning that these perennial practices have remained a part of our culture for a reason. The latest research shows us that they work. They really work. And now is the time to reintegrate them into our systems to enable a more holistic and effective route to healing. 

When it comes to expressive writing, dozens of studies have demonstrated their influence, impacting immune function, stress hormones, blood pressure and an improved control over pain. They have found poetry able to reduce depressed mood and pain severity; as well as helping to reduce internal conflict and restore psychological balance. A 2021 study of hospitalized children showed writing and reading poetry reduced their fear, sadness, anger and fatigue and a systematic review published in 2019 found poetry can help healthcare workers combat burnout and increase empathy for patients. 

The reason poetry and expressive writing can aid recovery is multifaceted. Poetry works on multiple levels. One reason poetry is so impactful is it helps an individual find their voice. It enables us to gain access to wisdom or deep insight that we cannot articulate in everyday language. It helps us give meaning and helps us to understand the world and our place within it. Another reason is its ability to process the highs and lows of everyday life. Poetry helps us to work through and make sense of difficult or complex emotions, activating the areas of the brain associated with emotional processing. What’s more, the act of sharing poetry becomes a community building support. It allows us to become more connected to ourselves and others and helps combat loneliness and isolation. 

“Our voices are embodiments of ourselves, whether written or spoken. It is in times of extremity that we long to find words or hear another human voice letting us know we are not alone.”

 – UCLA psychiatrist and poetry therapist Robert Carroll

The power of poetry is far from irrelevant. As you can see from just a small sample of the countless studies, poetry and creative expression is a powerful vehicle to healing. And its value must be acknowledged in our modern world if we are going to offer holistic and increasingly effective treatment for our human struggles and suffering. In healthcare, where workers are overworked and patients are frightened and in pain, the power of words can be a necessary force, helping individuals to make sense of their world and connect back to themselves and the people around them.

David Gibbs BACP