Why Reading is an Easy and Cost-Effective Way to Relieve Stress
How to ditch the serious stuff and soothe your mind by reading for pleasure — and the 6 benefits you’ll receive
The relationship between reading for pleasure and wellbeing is particularly interesting, with evidence showing a correlation between reading for pleasure regularly and lower levels of stress and depression. Reading also seems to reduce the risk of dementia, with frequent readers having lower incidence of dementia in later life. ~Why is reading for pleasure important?
I find that the very word, pleasure, indicates a realm of leisure, relaxation, and enjoyment. It just makes good sense to find those stress-busting elements between the pages of a book. Why? Because it’s simple, accessible, and cost-effective.
More than that, I can choose the time and place to read, making it a solitary experience, or sharing the moment with others. I can live a double life, or more, in the space of minutes or hours. I can escape the pressures of reality and go where I’ve never gone before…
It may not be possible to ditch all serious forms of reading for work, school, research, and other projects. However, the important thing is to find the time to add leisure reading to your daily life. I find it very beneficial and I think you will also. But don’t settle for ordinary, make it a special occasion, a little stress-reliever you give yourself.
Setting up your pleasure reading areas
At home:
If possible, choose several reading areas around your home and other spots that you feel are special places. Special how? They make you feel secluded and pampered. Spaces that free your mind, encourage imagination, and where the ambiance promotes relaxation.
In these personal places, especially in your home, set up a corner with comfortable seating and side table. Make sure to have adequate lighting that is also warm and appealing. This is not the time for stark, bright overhead lights.
On the side table or coffee table, place a vignette of items that suit your personality, and sets the stage for pleasurable reading time. It might contain a couple of vintage books, a personal notebook, potpourri, dried flowers, candle, lace, vintage spectacles, a candy dish, and a soft throw and pillow. I think you get the drift of my thoughts. Every item needs to be chosen with you in mind — whatever sets the ultimate relaxation stage for you.
The pillow and throw are super important because leisure reading often leads to leisure napping — one benefit I don’t like to miss.
Away from home:
Selecting favorite reading areas away from home is a fun adventure. Get creative with the environment that surrounds you. Don’t live next to the ocean? Read at your local park next to the fish pond, water feature, or fountain.
Find a hidden nook at your local library, bookstore, or coffee shop. State parks and public gardens can be quiet and beautiful places to read. And don’t forget your backyard, patio, gazebo, and poolside areas. Pack a beach bag or picnic basket with your personal, relaxation-inducing items and take them with you. High on my list is bug repellent, suntan lotion, pillow, throw, snacks, and drink. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, simple will do.
Relieving stress may depend on what you read
We’re all different, so what I consider heavy or serious reading that makes me tense rather than relaxed, may not be so for you. Give the point some thought and determine what works in your case.
For me, if I’m reading something that I need to remember, learn, or evaluate, it’s WORK! So my leisure reading revolves around fiction or non-fiction in the form of magazines on subjects I love with lots of beautiful photos.
The point is, I don’t have to remember anything. I’m reading ‘in-the-moment’ for the pure pleasure of the story or experience.
This kind of reading is like icing on your cupcake — decadent, delicious, and rewarding.
If the pure pleasure derived from time spent in leisure reading doesn’t justify the activity in your mind, consider some of the following points.
Benefits of reading for pleasure
- Increased vocabulary, retention, and comprehension skills — These are not the focus or purpose of leisure reading but they are a nice little side-effect that none of us would complain about acquiring to a better degree.
- Emancipation — At the moment that we’re immersed in a fictional world, we’re free from the realities of our personal environment. We investigate and discover worlds, peoples, and places impossible to reach otherwise. And when we step out of those make-believe stories, we carry nothing with us but the fond memories.
“Some books leave us free and some books make us free.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Stretching your perspective — Have you ever empathized with a fictional character? If so, you were stretching your perspective. You may not agree with the character’s viewpoint but you were able to understand their point-of-view.
- Timelapses — This is more commonly termed escapism. Short periods of time when we can forget our worries and responsibilities can be healthy breaks and wonderful stress relievers. Your mind can play, observe, and rest from its daily grind.
- Companionship — Some who suffer isolation and loneliness find reading populates their world with interesting characters, that for a short time, are like friends and family.
“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.” — Emma Thompson
- Energizing — Reading a good story rejuvenates our spirit and sense of adventure. Like physical exercise, it’s a mental workout that elevates and renews our very being.
“I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.” — Benedict Cumberbatch
A thought to remember
It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it. – Oscar Wilde
