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| Photos by Philip Vassallo |
Six months after Hurricane Sandy devastated so much in its
path from the Greater Antilles to the United States northeastern seaboard, I visited Long
Beach Island, New Jersey, which was especially hard hit by the superstorm. These
images of Holgate, the southernmost town on the island, hardly begin to tell
the story of the havoc wreaked by a Category 3 storm with 115 mile-per-hour
winds traveling across countries and 1,100 miles and causing sea surges as high
as 32 feet. The death toll of 285 and assessed damages of $75 billion are
likely underestimates considering the population density and property values in
the affected region.
Reflecting on this tragedy reminds me of the healing power
of writing. I go into some length about this point in the final chapter of my
book How to Write Fast Under Pressure, relying
on the wisdom of Matthew J. Loscalzo, the Executive Director of Supportive Care
Medicine for City of Hope in Duarte, California, and a leading authority on
pain management and palliative care. Loscalzo does not believe that time heals.
“Sometimes, grief can never be lessened,” he says.
The key to dealing with grief, says Loscalzo, is getting the
executive function of the brain active. The executive function is the part of
the brain that controls emotions, organizes issues, and solves problems. “Get
back into your routine within a week,” Loscalzo suggests. “When you are
confronted by another human being, you are impacted by them. It is inherently
therapeutic. It gets you out of yourself to be helpful.”
Experience tells me writing can tap into the executive
function of the brain. “Writing is a way of fueling the executive function,” Loscalzo
concludes.
I have found writing helpful to me in dealing with the loss
of many loved ones, including my parents. Writing has also enabled me to manage
my emotions over disasters that have struck close to home, such as the September
11 terrorists attacks. So writing can serve as a positive force not only in moments
of anger as well as despair. If for no other reason than to tap into unproductive,
negative, or paralyzing emotions, try writing.
