Reading is a good habit to gain more knowledge and bring many benefits to mental health. Many studies have proven that reading can help relieve stress, good for the brain, reduce symptoms of depression and countless other benefits. However, it is necessary to choose the right books to read when the body is under stress.
Reading can be more effective at relieving stress than other home relaxation methods
Reading books really relieve stress?
Reading can be a great and healthy way to get rid of the stress of everyday life. Simply by opening a book, you allow yourself to enter a literary world that distracts you from your stressors.
Reading can relax your body by lowering your heart rate and relieving tension in your muscles. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. It works better and faster than some other relaxation methods, such as drinking hot tea or listening to music.
Another study conducted by researchers from the University of Liverpool – UK in recent years also found that, 38% of adults said reading is their ultimate stress reliever.
In addition, reading books also gives you a great source of knowledge. Thereby bringing a feeling of comfort and relief. Reading books that provide answers to problems that have been troubling you for weeks will be a gentle end to specific concerns.
Reading also provides inspiration and highlights your range of exciting possibilities. While fantasy books spark your imagination and creativity, biographical books help you understand more about the limits of the human body and mind.
Take a look at some of these tips:
- The book you choose doesn’t have to be on the “bestseller” list. The important thing is that its topic has captured your interest. It also provides space for your mind to relax every day.
- Reading only helps you relieve stress when you choose something you love and it doesn’t make you uncomfortable. Reading the news may not be a good option if it makes you angry or helpless. You can choose a novel that helps you immerse yourself in another world. Or read about activities you enjoy like traveling or cooking.
- You can write down how you feel when you finish reading a book. Can you eliminate your stressors? If you still feel overwhelmed, look for other solutions before seeing your doctor.
Benefits of reading books relieve stress, improve mental health
Reading can transport you to another world, providing an escape from the daily stresses of life, at least temporarily. Researchers have found that reading has many real benefits for people’s mental health and well-being.
Here are 5 outstanding benefits that reading can bring you:
1. Read books to relieve stress
Stress is identified as the cause of about 60% of all diseases and illnesses in humans. It can increase the risk of heart disease by up to 40% and increase the risk of stroke by up to 50%.
The habit of reading books helps distract you from your stressors and gives you a sense of well-being
Modern life makes it impossible for us to completely eliminate stress. However, you can reduce stress and prevent it from becoming a major problem. A very useful solution is reading books.
Reading a book for just 6 minutes, whether it’s a newspaper, book or magazine, slows the heart rate and reduces muscle tension. In addition to being a distraction from stressors, reading is also a positive attraction for your imagination and creativity.
2. Reading slows cognitive decline
As we age, our brain activity slows down. At the same time, cognitive tasks we used to feel easy, such as remembering names or house numbers, can become more difficult.
However, according to some studies, reading can help slow or even prevent cognitive decline. It also helps prevent more severe forms of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
In 2013, a study from Rush University Medical Center – Chicago found that reading and other neurostimulating activities can slow memory loss. An earlier study by the US National Academy of Sciences also showed that older adults who read books and engage in other mental activities are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Reading books improves social skills
Some people choose reading as an escape from the real world. However, many studies have shown that, when it comes to social skills, reading can have its own uses.
A 2013 study found that individuals who read novels are more likely to understand other people’s beliefs, desires, and thoughts about them. Other research has also shown that fiction readers score much higher on tests of empathy than nonfiction readers.
A study at the University of Toronto – Canada said that novels allow readers to interact well with their characters. This can lead to increased empathy for others in the real world. The most important thing for human beings is that our lives are social. Fiction can enhance and help us understand our social experiences.
4. Reading can improve sleep
Smartphones have become the best friend before going to bed for many people. However, this may be related to shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality. This is because the blue light emitted by the device reduces melatonin production in the brain.
It’s best to replace your smartphone with a book before bed. According to experts, reading can promote better sleep by easing the transition between alertness and sleepiness. In addition, quality sleep will also help your mind relax, significantly reducing stress.
5. Enhance intelligence
The more you read, the more you will know and the more you read, the more places you will go. Studies have shown that reading can increase an individual’s vocabulary. This is also associated with higher intelligence.
Furthermore, it is a fact that the stronger a person’s early reading skills are, the more likely they will become intelligent. A 2014 study found that children with better reading skills at the age of 7 scored higher on IQ tests than children with weaker reading skills.
6. Reading reduces symptoms of depression
People with depression often feel isolated and estranged from others. And sometimes reading can help ease this feeling. “Consolation from imaginary things is not imaginary consolation.”
Reading fiction can allow you to temporarily escape the real world and get caught up in the fictional experiences of the characters. Additionally, non-fiction books can also help by teaching you strategies for managing symptoms of depression.
7. Reading helps you live longer
A study conducted on 3635 adults who participated over a 12-year period found that those who read books were likely to survive 2 years longer than those who did not read books, magazines or other forms of media. other media. The study also concluded that people who read more than 3.5 hours a week are 23% more likely to live longer than those who don’t.
Note when reading books to relieve stress
As analyzed, reading not only helps relieve stress but also brings many other health benefits. However, you need to read books properly, especially when the body is under stress. Key issues to look out for include:
1. Choose the right book title
Reading is a good habit you should make every day. However, it is necessary to pay attention to choosing the right book to read to help the mind relax and be more comfortable. Reading books that are too confusing, horror or detective stories can backfire, causing increased stress.
In case you are limited in terms of time, you can spend a few minutes a day on blogs on an appropriate topic. Be it cooking, travelling, love, hobbies… If you are looking for an escape then fantasy or historical novels can take you out of your surroundings and into a completely different world. .
If you’re on the move, read books with practical advice provided by someone with a lot of experience. Think of it as a mentoring session that you can take when it fits your schedule. Read any book you want, as long as it brings you comfort and positive energy.
2. Should I read books through the screen?
Nowadays, there are many free books online. However, whether reading books online can relieve stress as usual is a controversial issue. According to experts, phone or computer screens have blue light, vibrations that stimulate the brain.
So while you can still benefit from reading books online, you may not get the soothing effect as your eyes move through the pages of the book. Also, you may have a harder time falling asleep later if you read on a screen at night.
If you are suffering from insomnia or are interested in practicing good sleep hygiene, it is best to turn off all screens for at least 30-45 minutes. If you have to choose between reading printed books and reading through screens, reading books will still be a great stress reliever.
Reading has been proven to be an effective stress reliever. In addition, this is also a good habit to help you nourish your spirit and gain more useful knowledge. It is important that you choose the right title and should read the book in print instead of reading the book online.
