ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Healing Words: Poetry and Medicine

Healing words, such as poetry, can make us feel better when we are sick or hurt. Just like when your mommy or daddy reads you a bedtime story and you feel warm and cozy inside, poetry can help people feel better too.

Doctors and nurses sometimes use poetry to help patients feel calmer and more relaxed. When we are nervous, our bodies sometimes forget how to heal themselves, so calming down can help our bodies get back to healing.

Poetry can also help us express our feelings when we are sad or scared. When we talk about how we feel, it helps our bodies and minds feel better.

So, poetry and medicine make a good team because poetry can help us feel better, and medicine can help our bodies heal.