When it comes to wellbeing, does anything compare to a good story?
Sitting in community and listening to stories is one of the earliest ways humans connected with each other. We love hearing other human voices. It's grounding and soothing and uplifting. Have you ever wondered why people love listening to the radio? The TV? Podcasts? What makes it so popular? Humans sharing with other humans through voice.
Live storytelling is something children engage with easily.
They quickly enter into the imagined world – dropping into the narrative. Taking themselves on the journey with ease. To be a good story listener the only thing we really need to do is lend ourselves to the present moment. And this is exactly why storytelling is so good for our wellbeing. When we listen with our heads AND our hearts the brain releases feel good endorphins. Our central nervous system calms down. We let go of our worries, if only for a short while.
Radiant Wave stories are not about teaching morals and values. They are about engaging the audience, bringing community together, and celebrating through a fun, uplifting tale. Now THAT is good storytelling.
Stories educate, entertain, enliven, and heal.
The overview gives a good run down of the benefits of live storytelling. But there's more. Chris Coulter writes:
"Storytelling has been around for centuries, and for a good reason. It's a powerful way to communicate and connect with others. In fact, research has shown that storytelling can have a positive impact on mental health.
One study found that listening to stories can reduce anxiety and stress, and another found that telling stories can boost self-esteem and improve moods. What's more, storytelling can help build empathy and understanding and can also be used as a tool for conflict resolution. In other words, the power of storytelling should not be underestimated.
When it comes to mental health, stories can educate, entertain, and, most importantly, heal."