Reading Books Can Benefit Your Mental Health

Around this time around of year, I often begin to feel lonelier and find it difficult to feel connected with others. Lately, I've turned to a beloved pastime: reading. Reading always reminds me of how much healing power stories hold.

Reading an engrossing book with dynamic characters, a charming setting, and beautiful prose that attracts me into the plot, brings me indescribable comfort-especially when seasonal depression starts to creep in. 

Autumn is here now, and with colder weather often comes excitement about the holiday season. But many people also experience seasonal depression, causeing this to be season difficult. Because of Covid-19 and the falling temperatures, a lot of us is going to be alone inside with less sunlight and fresh air. This may possess a negative impact on our mental health.

The little boost I recieve from reading every day helped me take into account the various ways reading benefits mental health. Reading is a reasonably inexpensive, accessible hobby that can bring tremendous benefits.  

Mental Health advantages of Reading

Studies have shown that reading as little as 6 minutes per day can improve your quality of sleep, reduce stress, and sharpen mental acuity. Reading strengthens the neural circuits and pathways of our brain while lowering heart rate and blood pressure.

The capability to empathize and have interaction with diverse stories beyond our own lived experiences may bring us a greater feeling of human connection and empathy. This usually leads to stronger relationships and shared understanding.

Last year I began reading more consistently. It's undoubtedly played a significant role in helping me deal with feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Reading gives me the opportunity to slow down and be present within the story,  a welcome escape from moments of anxious overthinking. My personal favorite times to take a seat with a decent bag and dedicate time for you to reading are right before bed as well as on Sunday mornings.

Many people shy away from reading or miss out on it as being a kind of self-care. They’ll remember the boring novels these were assigned to read in school. And they might not have much energy after spending a complete day at work, caring for your homes and families, and with the daily stressors of life.

I hope to help people view reading in an effort to support their mental wellness. Reading allows you ton engage with fun entertainment while calming and strengthening your brain.

What Must i Read? 

If you'd like to try reading more often, choose books which are of great interest to you. Regardless of what kind of book you select, simply reading a few pages when you are able is what counts.

Start with visiting the local used bookstore or library. Many librarians and bookstore employees is going to be happy to provide you with recommendations. Skim the initial few pages from the book before purchasing. Does the story include characters or a setting you want to know more about? The key is finding books that capture your attention.

You’ll probably start noticing a positive change inside your sleep quality and mood after you enter the reading habit-whether you’re listening intently to an audiobook during your commute or devouring several pages while doing laundry. 

Even though colder weather means spending additional time inside, the mind can go wherever you would like with the help of a great story.