Is daily stress taking a toll on you? If yes, you might have searched on the internet about many ways to make times for yourself to help with stress relief. Reading books is one such way that can take your mind out of the real world for a short period of time by transporting you to another time or place. You need not be a voracious reader to reap the benefits of reading. All you need to do for reducing stress is to immerse yourself in a story for six minutes. So, start your week off in an entirely different universe before getting into the daily grind.
Research has shown that reading books especially fiction is more effective in stress relief than listening to music, talking a walk or sipping a tea. While your brain is engaged in the story from the book you are reading, your heart rate slows down and the muscle relaxes. This happens because while reading, your brain has so much work to do that it focuses your energy and improves your concentration. The act of reading a book with a strong narrative arc lasts beyond the time you are reading. Your brain will hold on the story to give you something for revisiting later.
Reading books is great for stress reduction as well as increases your emotional intelligence and empathy, as you get inside the heads and lives of the characters in the story. If stress is making you feel a little hostile towards people, reading books might actually help you to be nicer. I can’t stress on enough to start reading a new book on a Monday and you’ll have a whole new world to hang out for all the week.
Alright, before I reveal my favorite fantasy novels for stress relief, I’m going to tell you the best part about reading book is that there is no stress in choosing what and when to read. You are free to choose something that you enjoy and makes you feel calm and happy. Consult your local library, friends, or Nyasa's Book Shelf to get book recommendations for reading on Monday. Focus on what you are reading so that you can easily escape into your story and after reading, dedicate a few more minutes to let what you’ve read sink in.
My Favorite Fantasy Novels and Books to De-stress
In a forever moving world, it can be hard to carve out a moment of stillness. When the noise, rush and stress of our frantic lives leaves us frazzled, reading books can help you find the calm through the storm. Here’s presenting my favorite stress-busting books:
In this generation-defining self-help book, Mark Manson, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be “positive” at all the times so that we can truly become happy and better person. Filled with ruthless humor, entertaining stories and profane, it is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead grounded and contended lives.
2. Silence
Erling Kagge, a Norwegian explorer had once spent fifty days walking solo across Antarctica with his broken radio. In this charming and quiet life-changing book which is now an international publishing phenomenon, he takes us on a journey to unlock the power of silence in the age of noise.
This inviting worry relief journal by Lindsay Kramer which is published by Chronicle Books encourages users to record and write down their worries on one page and then use the opposite page to reframe anxious thoughts into positive feelings or actions, i.e. to let it go. Basically, it based on a recognized therapeutic technique to relieve anxiety and stress.
Japanese people believe that everyone has an Ikigai- a reason to jump out of bed every morning. This book by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles will give you the life-changing tools to uncover your personal Ikigai. It is quite inspiring and comforting. It will show you how to leave urgency behind, discover your purpose, nurture your friendships and throw yourself into passions. Read Ikigai to bring meaning and joy to your everyday.
A collection of illustrated hugs from Chris Riddell, the former Waterstone’s Children Laureate cover every possible type of hug you can think of. But one thing is for certain that everyone will touch your heart.
The world moves fast, but this doesn’t mean that we too have to move fast. Written by author Haemin Sunim, this book provides insight and compassion drawn from a life full of change and succeeds at encouraging all of us to notice that when you slow down, the world slows down with us.
The New York Times Bestselling author Pedram Shojai discloses what it takes, from understanding how and where we spend our time. He teaches us how to recapture the lost moments and reveals the connection between time, money and energy. He uncovers how harnessing the deepest secrets of time can help us take back the control of our life.
This book by Rosamund Young comes with a lovely foreword by Alan Bennett. In this book cows are varied as people. Cows are considered as sacred symbol of life which should be protected and revered. They can be highly intelligent or slow to understand, considerate, vain, shy, proud or inventive. This book written without undue sentimentality, makes a strong case for the humane rights of livestock, highlighted by the absorbing anecdote and observation.
By writing this post, I have enjoyed relieving the memories these books gave me while I was reading them. Feel free to pick up any of the above listed books to relieve your stress.
Don’t forget to comment about your favorite fantasy novels and books for stress relief.
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