Seeing as how it’s now been proven scientifically that blogging is good for your mental health, I thought I’d speak to those of you who aren’t yet bloggers.

What?  You’re not blogging?  Hop on the bandwagon, friend!

Want to dip your toes in the water first?

If you want to creep into the world of blogging, there are ways to get to know the community without the commitment of an actual blog.  A couple of options:

• Consider Twittering…it’s like mini-blogging, 140 typed characters at a time.  You can converse with friends there, too.  I  am no_watch_me.  If you’re twittering, leave your ID in the comments…I’ll add you!
• Another fun option is StumbleUpon, a super fun way of sharing fun sites/pages you’ve found with others that your friends with on the site.

Those social-networking, kinda blogging sites are a great start, too.

What am I talking about?  These sites all function as social networking sites…that is, you create a page for yourself (easily done!), and begin to connect with others by visiting their pages.  They all offer, to one extent or another, the ability customize your page to reflect your personality.  You can also write about yourself (blog) on that pages if you chose.  A selection out there:

• Ning
• cre8Buzz
• MySpace
• LiveJournal

Ready to jump in feet first?

A blog hosting service makes it super easy to start your own blog.  Templates are provided from which you can chose, and customizing your blog is simple.  Of course, you can make it complicated, but that’s another story.  The Big Three Blog Hosting Services are (in no particular order):

• Blogger, which presently hosts my personal blog; it’s free and easy to get started.
• WordPress is also free, and has some wonderful upgrades available if you’re so inclined.
• Our lovely Blissfully Domestic here is hosted by Typepad; for a fairly nominal fee you can have all of it’s bells and whistles.  Plus, you can get a two week free trial period (shhh…I’m thinking of switching over!).

Want to be fancy right out of the gate and self-host?

If you’re a go-getter and want to strike out on your own…

• …here’s a great rundown of the top ten hosting sites.

When I first started my blog two years ago, I had been debating doing so for ages. I was so hesitant that I posted twice in the first half year.  My biggest blogging regret?  That I didn’t start sooner.

So, for your mental health, get blogging!