(HealthScoutNews) -- Your own words have the power to heal you.

If you've had a traumatic experience, writing your thoughts about it in a journal may help you work through that event, says a study in the August issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

However, writing only about your emotions won't have the same benefits, and may actually make things worse.

"Engagement of both thoughts and emotions while journaling about a stressful or traumatic experience can raise awareness of the benefits of the event," say study authors Philip M. Ullrich and Susan K. Lutgendorf of the University of Iowa.

"In contrast, focusing solely on the emotional aspects of traumas may not produce a greater understanding of traumatic events," they say.

The study included 122 college students. They wrote in their journals at least twice a week for four weeks, and were divided into three groups.

The emotions-only group recorded their deepest feelings about a traumatic or stressful event. The emotions and cognition group wrote about their feelings and their efforts to understand and make sense of a traumatic event. A control group wrote down details of traumatic events reported in the news.

The study found the emotions-cognition group became more aware of the benefits of their traumatic events. These benefits included improved relationships, greater personal strength, spiritual growth and a greater appreciation of life.

The two other groups didn't become aware of such benefits.

More Information

Wofford College has some tips on Keeping a Journal.

Reference Source 101

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