Not everyone blogs for fame and fortune. Sometimes, the reasons are deeply personal: for many, frequent blogging provides therapy for the mind, soul - and even the body. While every persons motivation is, in some way, unique, there are some common ways blogs can relieve stress.

For some, extensive writing is a way to relax and work through complicated personal problems. The very act of writing out experiences and feelings leads to self-discovery and clear thinking. The physical and psychological benefits are so apparent, this form of stress relief has a clinical namejournaling.

Many people blog to shed their mask and tell the world who they really are. Social conventions, office politics and often personal relationships typically require a degree of insincerity that some find absolutely stifling. For them, blogs give life to the inner voice.

On the other hand, sometimes bloggers write to unleash an alter ego. Blogs give every Clark Kent a chance to be Superman.

There is also the person who has a perpetual and powerful urge to state his opinionwhether anyone is listening or not. Occasionally, such bloggers produce material of high quality and enormous interest; but even if the output is so-so, the blog could be their main form of release. Blogs about medical problems and illness written by victims appear to provide physical as well as mental relief. When bloggers share their experience with and knowledge of disease and illness, they attract a sizable audience that morphs into an enormously helpful on-line support group.

So what do all these bloggers write about? Anything and everything. For a sense of the depth and breadth blogs have cultivated, one need look no further than the blog posts counted on the Icerocket.com database a strong example of one outlet in the blogosphere:

Hobbies: 48,000
Family: 65,000
Pets: 83,000
Travel: 172,000
Games: 173,000
Sports: 280,000
Friends: 542,000

Before you begin journaling through a blog, take heed: it's important to remember your manners out there. No matter how angry you are, avoid the temptation to be snarky a blogging term defined by Wikipedia as snidely derisive; a belittling style of speech or writing. And certainly, try not to obsess about posting every day, as you will only be replacing one form of stress for another.