It's no wonder that we live in a world of stress . With work problems, household chores, and financial problems, we all live under a little bit of stress. In times like these, it's hard to find time to read a book. But did you know that setting aside a little time each day to read a book can be so beneficial to your health? Let's talk about that today.
Why is reading books so good for you?
Reading books has many benefits for your overall health. Although these benefits mainly benefit your brain, it also benefits your body.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Imagine, the feeling of relief when you come home after a hard day's work and start reading a book with a story you love. Without even realizing it, you forget all the problems around you, right? It's not just a thought.
A 2009 study found that reading a book for just 6 minutes can reduce stress by 68% ! That's more effective than going for a walk or listening to music.
This is because when you read a book, your mind has to focus on one thing. And, through the words in the book, you start to imagine a story in your mind. Simply put, you get so immersed in the story that you completely forget about the outside world. It's like meditating.
Protects brain function and protects against diseases like dementia
Dementia is, simply put, a disease of memory loss that occurs with age. In this condition, it becomes difficult to think, remember, and make decisions. It mainly affects older people.
But the good news is that doing things that exercise the brain, like reading books, can reduce the risk of developing this condition. Several studies have confirmed this link.
| Findings from studies | Result |
|---|---|
| People who regularly read books as a hobby | It was found that the risk of developing dementia was significantly lower compared to those who did not read books. |
| People who have been reading/writing their entire lives | Although there was some brain damage, the rate of memory loss was very slow. |
| People who started reading in middle age or old age | Even though they started late, both of them were able to reduce their risk of dementia. |
A good herb for mental health
Mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are very common in today's society. For someone suffering from such a condition, the mental comfort that comes from reading books is very valuable. But it doesn't stop there. Sometimes doctors recommend reading books as part of mental health treatment. This is called 'bibliotherapy'.
What is bibliotherapy?
This is actually a form of therapy. Here, your mental health doctor or counselor will select a book (fictional or true story) that is relevant to your situation. As you read the book, you will discuss it with them.
This is usually done in conjunction with other treatments. Some of the benefits of this method include:
- Developing the ability to understand the feelings of others ( Empathy ).
- Having a good self-awareness.
- Increased compassion.
- Developing problem- solving skills.
So how long should you read per day?
There's really no set amount of time for this. As mentioned earlier, even 6 minutes a day is enough to reduce stress. However, some studies suggest that reading for about an hour a day is good for your brain and can protect you from things like dementia.
The most important thing is not to stress yourself out by saying, 'Oh, I couldn't read today.' In your busy life, find a little time whenever you can, in whatever way you can. While riding the bus, before going to bed at night, while drinking tea in the morning... it's important to set aside a little time.
Don't add more stress to your busy life. Instead, find a time when you can find it and make a habit of reading a book during that time. It will be a valuable gift you give yourself.
Take-Home Message
- Reading books is a very effective and easy way to reduce stress and anxiety.
- It's a good exercise for your brain and also helps protect against memory-related diseases like dementia that can occur as you age.
- Even doctors recommend reading books as a form of mental health treatment, under a method called 'Bibliotherapy'.
- There is no rule about how much time you should read per day. Even a few minutes is enough. Don't make it a pressure.
- If you are suffering from severe stress, depression, or another mental illness, reading books can bring great relief, but it is very important to definitely see your doctor and seek proper treatment.
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