I love the term, Cinema Therapy. At Magical, we chat about books and movies frequently, and since so many books are made into movies an article I recently read applies to both.
The article spoke of movies in the Cinema Therapy tradition, and I smiled thinking of the connection to novels. Both are packed with emotions and play like a film in our minds. A research study by the University of Michigan stated that certain types of movies change our mood and biology.
Here’s a few tonics for different types of therapy.
Comedy… research states that laughter reduces levels of stress hormones, while boosting our immune-system cells.
Family movies… Strengthens family bonds. Happy kids who have a sense of belonging wind up with happier marriages themselves.
Romance… eases anxiety and releases the anti-anxiety hormone progesterone. The effect can last up to two hours after you’re done watching or reading.
Thrillers… boosts our brain power and short term memory.
Tear jerkers… having a good cry tames stress. Women cry an average of 47 times a year, while men cry maybe 7 times. Hmmm, that can’t be good for the guys!
Manly action… stirs up the passion. Testosterone spikes by 30%. Gladiator anyone?
Underdog themes…. Motivates and inspires us, lifting our spirits. It valadates that hard work and determination prevails, and we can all be winners.
I know how movies and novels can lift me up, and take me somewhere magical. While the article focused on movies, this doesn’t even cover the absolute rush a writer gets while in the creation zone.
The way I see it, a writer’s rush includes all of the above! Are we lucky or what?
I want to give a shout-out to my Magical gal pals, currently having a blast at National. Y’all have a grand time, and safe trip home.
“This doesn’t even cover the absolute rush a writer gets while in the creation zone.”
Geeze, LaD, you keep coming up with all these profound statements and I’ll need to add more wall space near my computer. This is yet another in my collection of comments that resound strongly with me. There are some writing days when I walk away from writing because it’s not going anywhere. But while away my brain is constantly considering the story, almost a re-writing session happening in my head. And then there are mucho days when I can’t walk away from my writing – that’s the “rush” you describe.
I believe writers need to allow themselves to walk away because then it adds to the rush when they return. Both go hand-in-hand.
Hope you have a great weekend! Here are some((HUGS)) because you are home while the rest of Magical is in Orlando. I’m sure you’re there in spirit.
Kathy, thanks about the wall space comment!
I just call ‘em as I see ‘em, and happy if they gather traction.
And yep, I’m at National in spirit, walking those halls with the gals! I know they’re having a blast, and so look forward to next week’s blogs when I’m sure they’ll be filled with all the positive vibes they brought back with them. Love that conference afterglow!
Did the article say anything about horror? Not that I want to go out and kill someone after seeing a slasher flick or anything. Okay, so perhaps I feel like slicing up the TSTL character. But that’s all–I swear.
I love the writing rush. One thing that movies can’t touch is the rush lasts a lot longer on paper than it does on screen. I bet that’s why so many books are more memorable than movies these days.
Hugs to you for holding up the fort while the MM chicks are away. In fact, this might be a good time to go through their drawers and “help yourself” to a few items.
LOL, on the drawer clearing! I could’ve definitely done more while I had the room to myself, like maybe a book review or additional blog, but I’ve been busy… honest.
And nope, the article didn’t say a thing about horror. It was a spring article I just happen to come across, and the closest to horror was the suspense. I can imagine, though, the chemical jumping beans that scary category instigates.
LaD, great stuff! Do you have a link for the article? It really sounds interesting.
Hey Edie, nope I don’t have a link. I ran across the article while tossing old magazines out, and it was written in the early spring.
I covered all the bases, though, and like Marcia asked they didn’t cover the horror genre. Interesting stuff, though. I might try and locate the actual University study.