<ul>
<li>Storytelling is a time-tested and respected skill to pass knowledge, wisdom and life lessons to the world. </li>
<li>For many medical researchers, storytelling has gone beyond teaching and entertaining and has importance in <strong>cognitive health.</strong></li>
<li>There are many psychological and therapeutic effects associated with telling compelling stories, with it even able to treat depression, Alzheimer’s and dementia, using a storytelling therapy called <em>Reminiscence</em>.</li>
<li>Storytelling also results in better interpersonal relationships and improved memory.</li>
</ul>

The Art Of Storytelling

<p>Storytelling can be great for our own <strong>mental wellbeing, enhanced relationships and a healthy brain.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>One needs to be <strong>playful</strong>, <strong>excited</strong> and <strong>passionate</strong> while giving the storytelling performance.</li>
<li>Get <strong>energetic</strong> and <strong>enthusiastic</strong>, <strong>smiling</strong> to provide a subtle joy to the listener.</li>
<li>Keep your story <strong>short</strong> and <strong>punchy</strong> for maximum impact, while keeping it <strong>colourful</strong>.</li>
<li>Read stories every day, and pick the best ones to recite, <strong>practised</strong> for perfection.</li>
<li>Instead of facts, focus on the <strong>emotions</strong>.</li>
<li>Develop the <strong>characters</strong> of the story to make them memorable.</li>
<li>Remember that any story can be interesting in <strong>the way it is told.</strong></li>
</ol>

The Daily Exercise Of Creativity: Storytelling

<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<span dir="ltr">
By</span>
<div data-tooltip="<p>&nbsp;Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements.</p>" data-tooltip-position-x="left" data-tooltip-position-y="top" dir="ltr">

<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/mark-stibich-4781224" data-tracking-container="true" dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr">Mark Stibich, PhD</span></a>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<span dir="ltr">
Medically reviewed by</span>
<div data-tooltip="" data-tooltip-position-x="center" data-tooltip-position-y="top" dir="ltr">

<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/shaheen-lakhan-4781676" data-tracking-container="true" dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr">Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN</span></a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span dir="ltr">
Updated on February 06, 2020</span>
</div><form method="POST" action="/powerful-anti-aging-and-anti-depressant-effects-of-storytelling-2223891?print" target="_blank" data-tracking-container="true"><button dir="ltr">
Print

</button></form><figure><img src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/a6cczUCLSw9ZjSDzLFTCYlUbWBY=/500x350/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-78747525-56c7b8cb3df78cfb3789647b.jpg" srcset="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/n4pVF_Eq7XPC063T8fscqzDmGxQ=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-78747525-56c7b8cb3df78cfb3789647b.jpg 300w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/GLr6VF9-blK0R5nGd5eJpFED2Sg=/417x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-78747525-56c7b8cb3df78cfb3789647b.jpg 417w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/-iMqB8AdM987m5U7wntWoBsUiE0=/534x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-78747525-56c7b8cb3df78cfb3789647b.jpg 534w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/v2pkyBjNRj1XtuciPjMnrHOOSSI=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-78747525-56c7b8cb3df78cfb3789647b.jpg 768w" alt="older man smiling and using his hands while telling a story" width="721" height="481"><figcaption dir="auto">Fuse / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>
The art of storytelling has long been a respected skill and an important tradition in many cultures. Over the course of history, community elders and their&nbsp;stories have been regarded as a treasure trove of society's knowledge, history, and wisdom. Older members of a community were encouraged to share their stories with younger generations, keeping the oral tradition alive.
</p><p>
Today, medical and social science researchers are interested in more than just the importance of storytelling as a means of teaching and entertaining, but also cognitive health.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> The Effects of Storytelling on Brain Health </span> </h2><p>
There have been studies that have looked at the ability to tell compelling stories as something that may have provided some survival advantage in human evolution. There have been others that have looked at the psychological and therapeutic effects of storytelling.
</p><p dir="ltr">
Perhaps most interesting in the world of longevity research, however, is the growing number of people with dementia who are benefiting from participating in group-based community storytelling, or reminiscence therapy, which is also used in treating other mental health concerns like <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/depression-statistics-everyone-should-know-4159056" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">depression</a>.
</p><p>
Studies of the use of reminiscence therapy with people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's have looked at the impact the therapy has on both cognitive function and quality of life factors like happiness and mood — both of which appear to be positively influenced by the use of directed personal and autobiographical storytelling.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> How to Use Storytelling for Brain Health </span> </h2><p dir="ltr">
While there is still research required to fully understand how reminiscence therapy may be used to benefit all aging populations, the current data suggests that are several benefits to storytelling from improved <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-memory-2795006" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">memory</a> to better mood to better interpersonal relationships.
</p><p>
Unfortunately today too often we just pick up the phone to talk with someone without thinking of what we have to say. Try giving your brain a workout&nbsp;and strengthening your relationships by telling stories.
</p><p dir="ltr">Your brain will benefit from the daily exercise of <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-creativity-p2-3986725" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">creativity</a> and it is an excellent way to share with the people in your world.</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Reminiscence and Storytelling Tips </span> </h2><p>
Here are a few storytelling tips for mental fitness, better relationships, and healthy brain aging:
</p><OL><LI><strong dir="ltr">Get excited. </strong>Storytelling is a performance and you need energy and enthusiasm to tell a good story. Get passionate, even if it seems silly.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Smile. </strong>You can hear a person smiling. When a person tells a story with a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-smile-more-for-health-happiness-and-longevity-2224116" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">smile</a> on their face, subtle intonations in voice change. If you are smiling, you will choose different words. Remember, storytelling is entertainment, too — it should be fun.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Practice. </strong>Pick one story every morning that will be your story for the day. When someone calls or comes over, you will be ready with your story. Be so excited to tell it that you are just bursting. Your listener will look forward to visiting with you and hearing your stories.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Make it short. </strong>Stories can go on and on — keep yours short and punchy. A good story does not have to be long.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Use lots of details. </strong>Pay attention during your day or while remembering an event from the past. Include details like the clothes people wore, how they moved, and what things felt like. Don't say, "She seemed upset" say "She had fire coming out of her eyes." Liven things up with detail and description.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Channel emotions. </strong>Don't just stick to the facts; they are usually pretty boring. Tell the emotions you were feeling. Talk about why you felt that way and what memories it brought back. Emotions are always interesting subjects.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Develop characters. </strong>The check-out person, the mailman, the plumber — all can become characters in your story. Learn to notice and appreciate the wonderful quirks that everyone has. Describe these people, thinking about what they must have been thinking.</LI><LI><strong dir="ltr">Don't think it isn't interesting. </strong>Anything can be interesting if it is well told. Don't worry that no great drama has happened to you lately. Storytelling is more about how you tell something than what you are telling.</LI></OL><div>Was this page helpful?</div><div data-click-tracked="true"><span>
Article Sources</span></div>

Learn why storytelling is an important aspect of brain health and well-being, plus find out about research that supports its powerful cognitive effects.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

health

Health

mentalhealth

Mental Health

problemsolving

Problem Solving

communication

Communication

<p>The art of storytelling has long been a respected skill and an important tradition in many cultures. Over the course of history, community elders and their stories have been regarded as a treasure trove of society's knowledge, history, and wisdom. Older members of a community were encouraged to share their stories with younger generations, keeping the oral tradition alive. </p>

<p>Today, medical and social science researchers are interested in more than just the importance of storytelling as a means of teaching and entertaining, but also cognitive health. </p>

The Effects of Storytelling on Brain Health

<p>There have been studies that have looked at the ability to tell compelling stories as something that may have provided some survival advantage in human evolution. There have been others that have looked at the psychological and therapeutic effects of storytelling. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Perhaps most interesting in the world of longevity research, however, is the growing number of people with dementia who are benefiting from participating in group-based community storytelling, or reminiscence therapy, which is also used in treating other mental health concerns like <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/depression-statistics-everyone-should-know-4159056">depression </a>. </p>

<p>Studies of the use of reminiscence therapy with people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's have looked at the impact the therapy has on both cognitive function and quality of life factors like happiness and mood — both of which appear to be positively influenced by the use of directed personal and autobiographical storytelling. </p>

<p dir="ltr">While there is still research required to fully understand how reminiscence therapy may be used to benefit all aging populations, the current data suggests that are several benefits to storytelling from improved <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-memory-2795006">memory </a>to better mood to better interpersonal relationships. </p>

<p>Unfortunately today too often we just pick up the phone to talk with someone without thinking of what we have to say. Try giving your brain a workout and strengthening your relationships by telling stories. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Your brain will benefit from the daily exercise of <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-creativity-p2-3986725">creativity </a>and it is an excellent way to share with the people in your world. </p>

<p>Here are a few storytelling tips for mental fitness, better relationships, and healthy brain aging: </p>

<ol><li><strong dir="ltr">Get excited. </strong>Storytelling is a performance and you need energy and enthusiasm to tell a good story. Get passionate, even if it seems silly. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Smile. </strong>You can hear a person smiling. When a person tells a story with a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-smile-more-for-health-happiness-and-longevity-2224116">smile </a>on their face, subtle intonations in voice change. If you are smiling, you will choose different words. Remember, storytelling is entertainment, too — it should be fun. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Practice. </strong>Pick one story every morning that will be your story for the day. When someone calls or comes over, you will be ready with your story. Be so excited to tell it that you are just bursting. Your listener will look forward to visiting with you and hearing your stories. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Make it short. </strong>Stories can go on and on — keep yours short and punchy. A good story does not have to be long. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Use lots of details. </strong>Pay attention during your day or while remembering an event from the past. Include details like the clothes people wore, how they moved, and what things felt like. Don't say, "She seemed upset" say "She had fire coming out of her eyes." Liven things up with detail and description. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Channel emotions. </strong>Don't just stick to the facts; they are usually pretty boring. Tell the emotions you were feeling. Talk about why you felt that way and what memories it brought back. Emotions are always interesting subjects. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Develop characters. </strong>The check-out person, the mailman, the plumber — all can become characters in your story. Learn to notice and appreciate the wonderful quirks that everyone has. Describe these people, thinking about what they must have been thinking. </li><li><strong dir="ltr">Don't think it isn't interesting. </strong>Anything can be interesting if it is well told. Don't worry that no great drama has happened to you lately. Storytelling is more about how you tell something than what you are telling. </li> </ol>

The Anti-Aging and Anti-Depressant Effects of Storytelling

The Art Of Storytelling

The Daily Exercise Of Creativity: Storytelling

CURATED BY

Related collections

More like this