Written By: Sarah Lydon
I have always loved books. Even as a child, I looked at it as a way to relax and let my imagination run wild. But as I got older, reading seemed to be put on the backburner. I would only read on the train during my commute to and from work and only when there was a book I really wanted to read. Thankfully that was about the time Harry Potter became popular so I was definitely not short on reading material. When I no longer had to commute, I was lucky to read a book a year. There just wasn’t enough time in the day! Then COVID happened and all I had was time and an anxious mind about the unknown happening around me. After I binge-watched everything I possibly could, I took a friend’s advice, picked up a book and started reading. And here’s how my life changed.
I was more relaxed – I knew that I felt better after I started readling, but I didn’t realize the relaxing effect it had on me until my husband pointed it out. A study done by students at Seton Hall University showed that individuals who read for only 30 minutes showed a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure which are both indicators of stress levels.
My mind was calmer – Yes I felt more relaxed as a whole, but specifically my mind was calmer. Dr. Lewis, Cognitive Neuropsychologist, believes that losing yourself in a book helps you escape from everyday stresses and worries, which can be especially helpful during “uncertain economic times.”
The quality of my sleep improved – Because I was more relaxed and my mind was calm, I was falling asleep easier. But interestingly enough, I was also sleeping better and woke up rested. BioMed Central (BMC) did a randomized trial where they answered the question “Does reading a book in bed make a difference to sleep in comparison to not reading a book in bed?” The results showed those that read a book in bed for 15-30 minutes each night for seven consecutive days reported and increase in their sleep quality.
I looked forward to the next time I could read – Once I made reading a part of my every day, I found myself looking forward to the next time I had the chance to read. I usually end my day, relaxing in my UltraCozy recliner engulfed in a good book. HuffPost spoke to experts about why its good to have something to look forward to and they were able to summarize it into three positive effects:it makes you optimistic about the future, it’s a pleasant distraction and it motivates you to keep going. Getting through the monotony of daily chores around the house is oftentimes difficult, but I know if I can just finish the chores that need to get done I would be free to dive right into my current book.
I became part of a community – I can honestly say that I don’t go a day without suggesting a book to a friend or hearing about a new book I want to add to my list. By having these interactions, I feel part of a whole community that has the same outlook on reading. They can relate. New Medical quoted Professor Alex Haslam saying “people tend to have greater resilience when they feel part of a community, which can prevent symptoms of depression and reduce stress and anxiety.”
Want to make reading a part of your life, but don’t know where to start? A great way is to take a look at a best-seller list and pick a title in the genre you enjoy most. The New York Times, Amazon and GoodReads all have extensive lists that will give you tons of ideas. If you are committed to one genre, there are numerous Facebook groups centered around reading that provide book recommendations and reviews. Or simply ask friends or colleagues for their recommendation. And with National Read a Book Day on Friday, September 6th, what better time to start than now.
https://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/reading-reduces-stress-levels
https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05831-3