How Reading Books Help to Reduce Stress?

Hello my dear friends, I hope you are all doing good today. In this post, I will be discussing about a great and interesting way to reduce stress quickly- reading books. Before beginning, I've few questions for you- Do you love books? Do you like to read? If the answer is yes then this post is meant for you. 

Few months ago, I was stressed out with my academics and personal life. But then one day, a reading group of which I am a member of started with the reading books activity. During that session one of the members read her favorite book "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. And believe me, I enjoyed the reading session. After this session, I was longing to know what happened next in the story of this book. My mind got cleared of all the things that were stressing me out before this reading session. It was then that I realized how reading helps to reduce the stress levels. In fact, I now pledged to incorporate reading books in my daily routine, so that my mind can break off from its routine worries and wander in the wonderful world of books. So, reading books help me live through my life when its psychologically hard and stressful. 

How Reading Books Reduces Stress?

  

We all know that reading is good for the brain. But does it help with relieving stress? Do you remember the study done by neuropsychologist David Lewis that I had mentioned in my previous post, wherein reading was found to be a powerful tool for stress relief in comparison to listening to music, taking a walk to relax or drinking tea? If not, let me remind you, it only takes six minutes of reading to reduce your stress levels by 68 percent. And I can’t agree more with the study done by Dr. David Lewis. Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation method, because reading can distract us from our everyday worries and anxiety and make us feel more relaxed. 

How Do I Read Books to Truly Achieve Stress Relief?  

Merely reading books, scanning through the pages won’t help to reduce stress level. This is why, I always find a quiet place to read books, because it is more enjoyable as well as relaxing. However, this is not always possible as in case of commuting when the bus is full of chatter and loud music. 

Reading is an activity that recharges your mind and body. It helps us explore new imaginary world that are quite different from our ordinary life. Reading also helps us become more creative and energetic. Basically, it helps us to find new ways to enjoy our life. You can dream while reading books, you can laugh and this results in reducing our stressors. This is why reading I enjoy a lot while reading books and I am no more anxious or stressed while doing so. 

For me, reading is dreaming and traveling to new realities, to live someone else’s life- the characters in the book. It helps me forget everything which is stressing me out and I can just live my life with new perspective. In some strange way, reading books is like a meditation to me. Because, while reading books, you usually only think and be in the reality that the book brings you to. Reading is a journey, a fun activity that I enjoy because it helps to release the stress even if it’s for a little while.  

The best part about reading is that it increases our empathy so that we can understand others better. This can make our life easier because we are here for each other to build this world together. We can truly connect with each other and then there can’t be stress.  

Can Reading Books Relieve Stress for Everyone? 

Though reading books reduces stress, but it won’t work for everyone. This is because if you don’t like reading and you don’t enjoy this activity, then reading books won’t work for you to relieve your stress. So, if you are forced to read a book and you take it as a chore then you can’t enjoy it and believe me it will make you more stressed. 

What Kind of Books You Should Read for Stress Relief?  

This is a good question, but the answer is simple- it simply depends on you. You are free to choose what kind of books you enjoy reading- a novel of any genre that lets you laugh and forget about all your anxiety, worries and stress. Some people enjoy horror novels because it helps them relieve stress by engaging them in a different world with different rule which let them go off their tension. 

For me, it is detective fiction novels, love stories and any books that could capture my imagination and interest in knowing what happens next in the book, that helps me forget about my stress and worries. It helps me escape my reality for a while and makes me feel relaxed. I’ll post about My Favorite Fantasy Novels and Books for Stress Relief in my future posts.   

Outline 

Now that you understand that reading is an important factor for our physical as well as mental well-being. I hope you will incorporate this habit in your daily life so that you can get rid of all your stress and worries.  

Let me know about what book you are going to read next. And don’t forget to share this new information with your friends and family.  

Until next time, this is Nyasa signing off.  

9 Scientific Facts About Book Reading and How It Can Improve Your Life?

Most people perceive reading books as an introverted hobby for the anti-social and feeble. However, you will be quite surprised to know that reading books has many positive effects on your emotional, intellectual and psychological state of mind. 

In this post, I’m going to state the 9 scientific facts about book reading and how it can improve your life.  

1) Reading Enhances Memory 

Every time you read something new, your brain “makes room” for the new information to fit in. With these new spaces, you can take advantage of any new information that may arise from the books you read. 

2) Reading Can Be Therapeutic 

As per a behavioral researcher, Cristel Russel, reading can help with any stress or turmoil that occur in your life. If you are going through a break-up or want to simply relax then try reading a new book.  

3) Reading Expands Your Vocabulary, So It Will Make You Sound Like A Genius 

The more books you will read, the more words you will come across. And the more often you will read these words, the more likely you will understand them and use them while speaking and writing. 

4) Being a Reader Means You’re Likely to Learn Something New Everyday 

Anne E. Cunningham, an education professor who wrote a research paper had discovered that reading frequently actually does make you smarter. It not only helps you retain knowledge but also help you to remember the knowledge later on in life. Whether or not you realize it, but reading books stockpiles your brain with new information and you’ll never know when it may come handy. 

5) Reading Helps to Prevent Alzheimer’s 

As per a recent study, people who read are two and a half times less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease later on in life. Though this doesn’t mean that reading books will prevent the disease, but it proves a slight relationship between reading and prevention of Alzheimer’s. 

6) People Who Read Books Are More Likely to Vote, Exercise and Be More Cultural 

According to a study done by the  National Endowment for the Arts, reading makes you more engaged throughout life. It helps you take advantage of any activities that may spring up during your life. 

7) Reading Helps to Boost Your Analytical Thinking 

Reading books help you to recognize various patterns which occur in writing. Reading plays a significant role if you are looking for career in medicine or law. So, get into the hobby of reading books. 

8) People Who Read Books Are More Likely to Get Ahead in Their Career and Life in General 

According to Honor Wilson-Fletcher, “reading opens doors and makes life easier”. To outline, it doesn’t matter what you read. Moreover, reading books can really make you feel good. To conclude, reading books is important if you want to live a successful life. 

9) Reading Fiction Books Increases Your Ability to Empathize with Others 

As per a study done by the University of Buffalo, access to possible realities and fictional story lines open you up to new feelings and emotions. It also helps you to empathize with others by understanding different cultures followed by people. 

A Bonus Fact: Reading Books Actually Make You Seem Sexier, Especially to Women 

According to a study, it was found that reading makes you seem intelligent which is looked upon favorably by women. So, the more you are into reading, the more appealing you will become! 

So, what are you waiting for? Go grab any book and get lost in the joy of reading.