Reading: The Ultimate Stress Buster?

Reading entails delving into a story, and a well-written tale can completely absorb the mind. Thoughts flow into a whole new dimension, quickly taking the reader to a distant world which remains inaccessible in real life. Simply speaking, a book makes the mind feel as though it is really moving in time and space, a state which can be compared to daydreaming.

What about movies and podcasts, then? Don’t they have a great power of attraction too? Someone who dislikes reading might say that a good movie relaxes them even better and takes them to another world just as well. However, researchers claim that moving images provide only visual sensations, while a book is able to do so much more. A written plot of a printed book or an e-book makes the reader mentally involved and greatly stimulates their imagination.

Researchers from The New School in New York have found evidence that literary fiction improves the reader’s ability to understand what other people think and feel. A similar study carried out in the same research center has revealed a strong bond between reading novels and achieving better results in the common tests of empathy and other social skills. Why does this happen? Why does enhanced empathy improve our wellbeing? The answer is very simple: as humans, we feel good when we understand the experiences of others.

Books Let Us Identify With Others

When in a bad mood or feeling down, we often grab a book to read stories of other people. Such behavior is very helpful in surviving the bad times: reading about human crises similar to our own problems makes us feel less lonely. The increasing popularity of books for young people that help them tackle the difficulties of an adult life is a clear example of this phenomenon. The teenage years teem with personality crises which include not only the first romantic disappointments, but also bullying by classmates, problems with parents and many other issues. Moreover, young people often become withdrawn and struggle to participate in social life, which makes the situation even more difficult. Luckily, reading helps teenagers acquire and perfect elaborate social skills: books offer numerous examples of solutions applied by other people to overcome similar troubles.

Recommended Reading to Feel Better

Reading bestsellers is not necessary when you wish to lift your spirits, but the book subject should definitely seem interesting and absorbing to achieve the desired effect. There is no need to force yourself to read novels of manners or the latest crime stories; a gardener’s guide or a sailing textbook will be just as good. If you have always dreamed of sailing on lakes and the textbook is part of your preparations for the new adventure, such reading will certainly help you leave the daily problems behind. Moreover, it can stimulate your imagination sufficiently to make you believe in your ability to accomplish the plan soon. This simple example clearly shows the quick effect of book therapy.

Neurologists have discovered that reading improves the brain function on many levels. The latest study conducted at the Emory University School of Medicine in the USA covered the benefits of reading fiction and has shown that its influence on the development of imagination is similar to the impact that visualization exerts on muscle memory in sport. The study results were published in Brain Connectivity.

Opening a book takes the reader to another world. Reading works faster and more effectively than other popular relaxation methods, as proved by the already mentioned study carried out in 2009 at the University of Sussex. To enable full relaxation, it is recommended to read half an hour daily in a peaceful place.

The Opposite Effect: Reading Which Backfires

If you’re eager to lift your spirits, choose books which will let you achieve this goal. Memoirs of a difficult childhood can easily deteriorate the reader’s mood. Reading news also has a bad influence on wellbeing and should be avoided; the same applies to texts which obviously promise anger or sadness. Therefore, books related to your interests are definitely the best choice.

On the other hand, good novels allow the imagination to expand and their “deceptive” influence on the brain is deeply beneficial. Movie adaptations rarely maintain the quality of the original literary work, and even state-of-the-art special effects fail to rival the power of human imagination. Yes, your mind is a wonder which deserves to be developed.

Bibliotherapy Works!

Bibliotherapy, or book therapy, is a treatment specialization pursued in several countries, among them the United Kingdom. Writer and bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud admits that she chooses books for her patients to help them make good decisions in the crucial moments of their lives. In her opinion, it is vital for a patient to develop correct reading habits. This entails the ability to pick the right books and, just as important, to avoid those which may lower the spirits instead of providing support. “I have been offering book therapy in The School of Life in London for over ten years now,” Ella says. “Although it may seem weird for some, I do prescribe novels like a doctor prescribes medication. Happiness by reading is my prescription medicine.” According to the therapist, her relationship with each patient includes drafting a weekly plan which specifies the time and duration of reading. Following those indications is important in attaining the final goal. “It is hard to find time for reading a book in today’s busy world,” she explains. However, someone who has built a reading habit will keep developing it because reading is just as addictive as watching TV series.

As far as addictive activities are concerned, it is obviously worth choosing wisely, but books certainly seem to rank among the safest addictions out there. Coming across a poor novel is no reason to get discouraged; with new books published every day, there is always plenty to choose from. Finally, reading sets a good example for children, so infecting them with the book bug is definitely to be advised.