Diaries are bad for you, mmmkay?

New Scientist says that diaries are bad for you:

Keeping a diary is bad for your health, say UK psychologists. They found that regular diarists were more likely than non-diarists to suffer from headaches, sleeplessness, digestive problems and social awkwardness.

The UK researchers speculate that this is due to the fact that diarists are likely to mull over trauma more than those who do not keep a record of their failings. Sort of makes sense, even though I'm sure there is some relief in penning down your feelings.

But this is actually one of the reasons blogs are not just net diaries. Unlike diaries, which are usually protected by locks and cupboards, and guarded with fierce flames of privacy, blogs are for sharing things. Blogs thrive with readership, which makes them somewhat akin to peer support groups. Blogs encourage discussion and hopefully, responses from people. And even if nobody replied or commented, there is some relief that somewhere, someone reads your blog. Somebody finds it interesting enough to keep subscribing, regardless of the angst you pour out.

And that is a comforting thought.

(Via synapsi.net)



Comments

My first reaction is that the esteemed shrinks in question might have gotten the cause and effect a little mixed up there.

--Mikki, 09-Sep-2004

Actually, if you read the article, they say that they are not certain which one is the cause and which one is the effect, but they are about to study it.

--JanneJalkanen, 09-Sep-2004

But if I read it, I might actually know what I'm talking about.

--Mikki, 09-Sep-2004

True. We can't have that, can we? :)

--JanneJalkanen, 09-Sep-2004

Shit no. It would go against every precious principle the Internet operates by.

--Mikki, 10-Sep-2004

Also that sometimes scientists don't know what they are talking about. Statistics seems to be too difficult concept to grasp. I wouldn't even bet for the connection before it is reviewed. Or something. But surely they check everything before they go public...

--Spinsteri, 10-Sep-2004

Well, yes. And New Scientist does have quite a lot of prestige, so they tend to be somewhat careful as to what they publish.

--JanneJalkanen, 10-Sep-2004

It's well known fact that 57% of all statistics are made up. ;-)

--Foster, 11-Sep-2004


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