Reading for the Soul: How Books Support Mental Wellbeing

Today the levels of stress, depression and anxiety have skyrocketed, especially since COVID-19. So it is important to find something that can help bring those levels down, helping to improve mental well-being and provide that well-earned downtime. 

Reading doesn’t just serve as an escape; but it can come from simply the experience of relaxing with a good book, or it could be the emotional release from connecting with the characters (despite only being from a book, it can have a lasting, larger impact than you might think). 

So by making reading a part of your daily routine you can experience what benefits …

How does it help, and is it proven? 

Reading has been proven to help ease anxiety, improve focus, and have a positive impact on your overall mental wellbeing. It helps to encourage mindfulness, and boosts empathy by giving us the ability to “step into another’s shoes”, understand how and why they might feel and consequently how we could help others. 

A 2021 Public Perceptions Survey found that 43% of people in the UK have found that reading helped ease their stress levels, especially during the 3rd national lockdown during COVID. 

Another study found - “that 30 minutes of reading lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and feeling of psychological distress just as effectively as yoga and humour did.”

The Book Community

Nowadays, the reading scene is no longer simply reading, it has become an online community, whether that be on Instagram, TikTok or even a book club. It has become an experience, something to bring people together, to talk about books, your opinion on them, recommendations or just having a chat with a fellow bookworm. 

The benefits that have come through this have been massive, it has provided thousands of normally very anxious, nervous and isolated ones with a supportive online community, talking about something they enjoy.

Can reading really help with anxiety?

Absolutely!! When reading we naturally recreate the sense of social engagement, this includes being able to identify with people and finding common ground with others. 

“Reading fiction can allow you to temporarily escape your own world and become swept up in the imagined experiences of the characters, while non-fiction self-help books can teach you strategies that may help you manage symptoms.” 

Bibliotherapy

Therapists found a way of expanding on the already positive impacts of reading and took that into “bibliotherapy” or simply book therapy. It has come about as a potentially powerful tool to help those with anxiety and depression.

Simply put, this is a form of therapy that uses reading, dissecting, and discussing books in a structured setting to improve mental health. 

In a research study in 2021, they found that it may be very beneficial in treating - anxiety - depression - sleep disorders - burnout. 

This is a type of therapy that you do not need to be seeing a therapist for, rather to reap the proven benefits of this form of therapy .. You can simply start reading for leisure and down time, which can be helpful for self-care and your mental wellbeing.

Benefits of Reading

Stress reduction - helps lower your heart rate and ease muscle tension, making you feel more relaxed.

Improved mood - engaging with uplifting stories or characters can boost your mood and give you a sense of well-being.

Enhanced empathy - fiction allows you to experience different perspectives, building empathy and understanding toward others.

Cognitive stimulation - keeps your mind active, improving memory, focus, and critical thinking skills.

Better sleep - reading before bed can relax your mind and help you wind down, making it easier to fall asleep.

Emotional escape - losing yourself in a fictional world provided a temporary break from daily worries and anxieties. 

Increased vocabulary and language skills - exposure to new writing styles and words helps enrich your language abilities, sometimes helping you come across more cultured!

Self-reflection - reading can spark introspection, encouraging you to reflect on characters, situations, and your own life.

Conclusion

So in conclusion, reading is more than just a pastime (and this has been proven) - it’s a powerful tool that can be used to improve mental well-being. Whether it’s through its ability to reduce stress, improve empathy, or offer an emotional escape, the act of simply reading provides numerous benefits that can positively impact your mental health. 

Studies have proven that even a small amount of daily reading can lower anxiety, boost mood, and enhance focus. With the rise of online book communities and bibliotherapy, reading has evolved into a social and therapeutic activity helping individuals with feelings of isolation.

By making reading a part of your routine, no matter what type of books you're into, you can embrace the positive impact it can have on your overall mental health and self-care. If you’re looking to unwind, escape, or reflect (or be scared, depending on what type of books you like!) A good book might just be what you need to start to improve your mental well-being. 

Our Mission

Here at Sage & Silhouettes, I have made it my mission to bring reading to people's attention, not just for the enjoyment, but for people to see the benefits of it on your mental well-being, as a form of self-care. 

Make sure to stay tuned for all of our future blog posts, updates and of course, follow our Instagram account - @sage.and.silhouettes

So a big thank you from me, thank you for taking the time out to read my blog, to support me and for being one more person to help me build my little dream up. 

Love, Serita xx