Since time immemorial, storytelling has been an activity that is loved and cherished by children. People often forget that it is actually a skill that can help in emanating positive vibes.
According to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, storytelling can help improve the well-being of hospitalized children. It was observed that storytelling led to “narrative transportation”, wherein the readers and the listeners allow themselves to get immersed in the story, away from the four walls of the hospital.
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Researchers noted that one session of storytelling with children admitted to hospitals helped in temporarily reducing the physiological and psychological reactions experienced during their ICU and hospital stay. These findings support the age-old theories of storytelling and its psychological effects under naturalistic stress conditions.
With the current pandemic adding to the stresses, storytelling may prove to be a simple yet effective way to improve the mental and physical well-being of children.
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