You may think of poetry as just pretty words strung together. But it is far more profound than that. A poem has the power to express deep and complex emotions. It is a way of transforming and understanding our world. And engaging with poetry, whether reading, writing, or reciting, has surprising benefits. Find out how you can change your life with poetry and get our recommendations for new poetry collections you can enjoy.
1. Poetry will surprise and delight you.
Poetry is a form of writing that invites innovation. Poets find new and evocative ways to use language to express feelings and describe the world. Poetry helps us see the world in new ways with unexpected imagery and emotional potency. It is an art that lends itself to humor and whimsy.
2. Poetry helps us feel less alone.
Poetry offers insights into the author's personal experiences and emotions. Reading, writing, and sharing poetry has been shown to improve feelings of empathy. Poets often express deep vulnerabilities in their art. Readers who share these kinds of emotions and experiences will feel seen and understood by these verses. Poetry workshops have been shown to be an effective form of therapy in a variety of settings, including healthcare facilities, prisons, and recovery groups.
A 2023 study conducted by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University found that writing and sharing poetry helped individuals cope with feelings of loneliness, isolation, and grief during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A Little Daylight Left is a new collection from Sarah Kay that will make you feel more alive and less alone.
3. Poetry expands your mind and improves memory.
Studies have shown that reading poetry stimulates the areas of the brain associated with memory and that memorizing poetry enhances neural connections. Participants in the Poetry and Memory Project at Cambridge University reported Increased confidence in their memory skills after committing poems to memory. Researchers emphasized the importance of connecting emotionally with a poem to enhance memorability, suggesting that meaningful engagement aids long-term retention.
4. Reading poetry reduces anxiety and stress.
There's a reason that so many children's books are written in rhyme. The rhythmic quality of poetry is meditative and calming. A number of studies have confirmed that engaging with poetry—whether reading, writing, or reciting—can improve our mental health, reducing anxiety, depression, and more. Beyond the calming nature of the language, poetry is a way to express and process difficult emotions and experiences. For poetry that will help lift you up, try Helium by Rudy Francisco.
5. Poetry helps us reframe the world.
Sometimes we get so bogged down by the challenges we face that we forget to focus on the beauty all around us. A poem can help us take pleasure in simple things like a rainstorm. The evocative language of a poem encourages us to see things in a new light and appreciate all the little things we may otherwise take for granted.
Mary Oliver is one of our favorite poets for celebrating our natural world and all of its many pleasures. We especially love this collection. And if you're interested in learning how to write your own odes to nature, check out A Poetry Handbook, her guide on writing and understanding poetry!
6. Poetry activates our imagination.
Poetry is an art form that is all about pushing boundaries. Poets are wanderers and adventurers, daring to go where no one has gone before. Poems can reorder our brains and change the way we think, opening up our powers of imagination. By letting go of the rules, we find new pathways and discover fertile new landscapes. Something as simple as a line of poetry can act as an epiphany for us as we find our way in the world.
The dazzling Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith is a Pulitzer Prize-winning collection that transcends earthly boundaries and weaves together themes of science, futurism, and popular culture.
7. Poetry promotes mental and physical health.
As previously mentioned, poetry can be effective in improving mental health, alleviating feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. It has been shown to promote self-discovery, activating the areas of the brain associated with introspection. A 2021 study involving hospitalized children revealed that reading and writing poetry helped reduce fear, sadness, anger, worry, and fatigue.
Studies have also shown that poetry can improve physical health, decreasing the suffering of people who struggle with chronic pain. A 2015 study found that reading poetry improved cognitive function in stroke victims. Poetry has even been associated with enhanced immune function. For a collection of poems offering a celebration of hope and healing, try All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols.
