Write your stress away
Zenpen: A minimalistic tool for expressive writing.
What is expressive writing?
Expressive writing, a concept introduced by psychologist James Pennebaker, is a simple yet powerful therapeutic technique. It involves writing about one's deepest thoughts and feelings without concern for style or grammar.
1. Write non-stop using a timer (10 to 15 minutes).
2. Do this for 4 days.
Research by Pennebaker and others has shown that expressive writing can lead to various benefits. It can improve mood, reduce stress, and even have positive effects on physical health, like boosting immune function. The act of writing helps people work through what they've experienced, organize their thoughts, and understand their feelings.
Expressive writing is used in different places like therapy for people who have gone through trauma, in schools to help with learning, and at work to help employees feel better. It's easy to do and can be used in many ways for mental health.
What do experts say about expressive writing?
"When people write, in the weeks and months afterwards, they tend to drink less, they smoke less, they start to have somewhat healthier lifestyles."
"I was very surprised that I had not heard of expressive writing. Upon hearing about it, I decided to explore the studies that demonstrate the power of this particular journaling method, and was absolutely blown away by the positive impact this method can have."
Why use Zenpen?
It's safe. Everything you write is gone after 30 seconds.
It's anonymous. You don't have to log in to use it.
It's free. Created and sponsored by focusacademy.com.
Q&A
Is it safe?
Yes, it's very safe. No login is needed and your writing isn't saved anywhere. Everything you write is gone after 30 seconds, including from your device's memory.
How and why is this free?
This app is a gift from focusacademy.com. The founder of the company, Oscar de Bos, truly believes in expressive writing and wants everyone to experience it easily and for free.
Should I write every day?
James Pennebaker advises: "There is absolutely no evidence that writing ten times or 20 times or the rest of your life every day, has any additional benefit. And, in fact, I sometimes worry that people, if they write too much, start to almost become obsessed with their issues. The goal of this is to come to terms with the topic you're interested in and then get back to life."
What should I write about?
Write about what's in your heart. It could be feelings about something that happened, thoughts you can't shake off, dreams for the future, or just what you're going through. The point is to write freely and honestly, without worrying style or grammar.
How do I install on an iPhone?
Our app is a Progressive Web App (PWA). To install it on your iPhone, open Safari and go to web.zenpen.app. Then, tap the 'Share' button and choose 'Add to Home Screen.' This puts an icon on your home screen, just like a regular app.
How do I install on Android?
To install on Android, open Chrome and visit web.zenpen.app. Tap the menu (three dots at the top right) and choose 'Add to Home screen.' This adds the app to your home screen, making it easy to access, just like apps from the Play Store.
Who can I contact for errors and ideas?
If you find any issues or have great ideas for the app, feel free to email Oscar at oscar@focusacademy.com. He'd love to hear from you!