How to Work Out Your Worries by Writing An extensive body of research shows benefits to writing about a traumatic experience or difficult situation in a manner that psychologists refer to as "expressive writing." People who do this，recording their deepest thoughts and feelings，often show improved mental and physical health.
    Expressive writing is different from writing in a journal.The idea is to reflect honestly and thoughtfully on a particular trauma or challenge.Recognizing that something is bothering you is an important first step.Translating that experience into language forces you to organize your thoughts.And creating a story or explanation gives you a sense of control.
    But there are a few limitations.For psychiatrists，expressive writing isn't a magical cure-all，so it shouldn't be used as a replacement for other treatments.And people coping with a severe trauma or depression may not find it useful to do on their own，without therapy.Yet it can be a powerful coping tool for many，in large part because it helps combat the feelings that people often keep as secret about a trauma，as well as their reluctance to face emotions. "The more you avoid a problem，the more trouble you will have with it，because you create a circle of anxiety and worries，and increasing negative emotions，" says Brian Marx，PhD，a professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine.
    Why write？Thinking or talking about an event can lead to reflecting，where you become lost in your emotions.But writing forces you to slow down.The mere act of labeling a feeling of putting words to an emotion-can reduce the neural activity in the threat area of the brain，says Annette Stanton，PhD，distinguished professor and chair of the department of psychology at UCLA.Stanton's research suggests that expressive writing can lead to lower depressive symptoms，greater positive mood，and an enhanced appreciation for life. "Writing can increase someone's acceptance of their experience，and acceptance is calming，" she says.
    What if you don't consider yourself "a writer"？Don't worry about spelling or grammar，and don't share your writing with anyone.But do dig deep into your thoughts and feelings.The goal of the exercise is to find meaning in an unsettling event.

（1）How is expressive writing different from writing in a journal？

People who do this，recording their deepest thoughts and feelings，often show improved mental and physical health.

People who do this，recording their deepest thoughts and feelings，often show improved mental and physical health.

（2）What are the limitations of expressive writing？

For psychiatrists，expressive writing isn't a magical cure-all ，so it shouldn't be used as a replacement for other treatment.And people coping with a severe trauma or depression may not find it useful to do on their own，without therapy.

For psychiatrists，expressive writing isn't a magical cure-all ，so it shouldn't be used as a replacement for other treatment.And people coping with a severe trauma or depression may not find it useful to do on their own，without therapy.

（3）Please decide which part is false in the following statement，then underline it and explain why.

Expressive writing has a calming effect because it can help people to get rid of depression，appreciate life more and accept their experience.Because expressive writing can lead to lower depressive symptoms instead of getting rid of it.

Expressive writing has a calming effect because it can help people to get rid of depression，appreciate life more and accept their experience.Because expressive writing can lead to lower depressive symptoms instead of getting rid of it.

? Expressive writing has a calming effect because it can help people to get rid of depression，appreciate life more and accept their experience.
（4）What is your own way to work out your worries？And why？ （In about 40 words）

To work out my worries，I always accept it and try my best to solve it.If I can't solve，I will accept it and keep on do the things best，then I will feel no regret about it.Another way is to exercise.When I go running or do other exercise，it helps me feel relaxed and more energetic to think about good ways to solve my worries.

To work out my worries，I always accept it and try my best to solve it.If I can't solve，I will accept it and keep on do the things best，then I will feel no regret about it.Another way is to exercise.When I go running or do other exercise，it helps me feel relaxed and more energetic to think about good ways to solve my worries.