Stress. Just saying the word increases my stress level. We all have stress in our lives and look for ways to relieve it. If you are searching the interwebs about reading for stress relief, you have come to the right place. My goal is to help you relieve stress and maybe even expand your mind in the process.
Stress comes in many shapes and sizes.
Stress is different for everyone. Whether it’s screaming kids, an unreasonable boss, or you are moving to a new house next week and are nowhere close to ready. We all have stresses in our lives, it’s a pretty normal part of life actually. People deal with stress in very different ways. Some people go to the gym and burn it out. Others will eat comfort food. Unfortunately, there are several unhealthy ways to deal with stress.
Reading for stress relief is both easy and enjoyable!
Did you know that reading is calorie free and super cheap!! Now that’s some stress relief that anyone can benefit from! This is a topic I would like to discuss further and really encourage everyone to give it the old college try.
How often do you read for enjoyment?
Daily, weekly, once a month? I would strongly encourage reading a book about something you enjoy, as part of your daily routine. It’s a way to relieve some of that pent-up stress in your life. I like to read every night before I go to bed, this is a great way to wind down and just forget about all the worries and woes of my life.
Ten, twenty, thirty minutes, whatever you can spare is all it takes.
Actually, the study in the link below suggests it only takes 6 minutes of reading to slow down the heart rate and ease tension. According to this article, reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, better than listening to music or drinking tea.
Reading is a relaxing distraction on your lunch break!
Read during your lunchtime. Take a break from that annoying co-worker, or unrealistic boss, find some time to let your mind go, and take a break from the day. If you have a lunchroom, find a quiet corner and pull out your book, or e-reader, and read about something that will take your mind off work. I like to get out of the office, find a quiet spot outside and read, even on short lunch breaks.
I look forward to my lunch break so much more than if I messed around on my phone.
Not to sound anti-social, but people tend to let you be if you are reading a book. Even if you really enjoy your co-workers, they tend to discuss work on lunch breaks. I don’t know about you, but I don’t even want to say the word ‘work’ on my lunch break. Reading gives you an escape, even if it is temporary.
Read up on something fun you want to do!
Do some research on that vacation that you have been wanting to take or that garden you have been thinking about planting. Even if you can’t take that vacation right now, it’s fun to learn more about it, planning is fun! Reading about a potential project will get you motivated and make it even more fun! Plus you will get loads of ideas!
Reading is a great way to learn a new skill!
Reading for enjoyment may not only help to reduce your stress level, but it’s also a great way to learn something new. If you have always wanted to learn how to grill pizzas on your barbecue or grow an indoor garden in the winter, you can use this time to read about it and learn something new. I recently read up on sous vide cooking, since it’s all the rage right now. We have cooked some amazing chicken dinners with our newfound kitchen appliance. This is due to the fact that I wanted to learn something new.
I hate my commute!
If you commute via public transportation, this is a great time to either start your day with a good book or wind down after a long stressful day at work, and just let your mind wander as you explore a new place or new activity. Who cares if the guy in the seat next to you is using your shoulder as a pillow, you can still read.
If you drive to and from work, try listening to audio books.
I am old school, so I always refer to these as books on tape (even if they are CD’s). If you have a smartphone and Bluetooth in your car, you are set. I do this all the time. I download books from the library onto my phone and I listen to them on the way to and from work. It takes away some of the stress of my commute. There it is again…stress, in a new form this time… driving! Just be sure you follow all the proper rules of operating a motor vehicle. Don’t let that epic car chase scene you are listening to make you think the rules of the road don’t apply because they still do.
It is important to find subjects that interest you.
Read a murder mystery, and exercise your mind trying figure out who did it. Even 15 minutes of time away from the grind can be a tremendous help. This may even make you more productive at work. It’s rejuvenating and motivating and is a mental break from the day!
There are thousands of great books out there that encompass a wide variety of topics.
Whether you are into gardening, travel, movies or whatever suits you, there are books on every subject. You need to find a subject that you are interested in and something that will keep your attention. No point in trying to read about the history of Halloween, if you have no interest in that at all. You will not enjoy the book and will not read it. I have done this more times than I can count.
Sometimes a friend will suggest a book and I am just not into it, that’s OK!
So, pick something you enjoy. Personally, I love a variety of books, non-fiction books, thrillers are great too! I love to read about people and their real-life stories. I also enjoy a good Jason Bourne novel or something along those lines. Trying to immerse me in the character to see what it might be like to be in their shoes. This can take you out of reality for a little while, and maybe forget what was stressing you out, to begin with.
Be sure to share a new book you liked with a friend!
Spread the word about a great book, they will probably suggest one to you too! Word of mouth is my favorite way to learn about a new book! Who better than my friends and family, they know me best! It’s a great way to have a non-stressful conversation too, discussing a book. It’s just as fun as chatting about a recent movie or show.
So to recap, reading can definitely help to reduce the stress in your life.
Even if it’s just for a little while, reading something you enjoy will help you to chill out, and clear your head. So it’s time to give those brain muscles a rewarding day at the spa, you deserve it! Make it a priority and you will quickly see the benefits!
Have an absolutely relaxing week and remember, read on my friends!
Kris and Steve:)
I love reading! But I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t read enough. There’s so many great reasons to pick up a book, I appreciate all of the reasons you list here. Sometimes with all the technology that surrounds us, it’s a breath of fresh air to just sit down, be still, and lose yourself in a good book.
I really only use my kindle when I’m traveling, for the sake of not carrying unnecessary weight, but when I’m home I much rather read an actual book. Flipping through the pages, I’m not sure how to explain it – it feels like there’s a soul in a book that you can’t experience in an e-reader, much like the way a record sounds verses the radio.
I’m currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” – any writer or creative personality would probably love it! Great tips you list here! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
I really agree with you. It took me some time to get used to my Kindle. I do prefer an actual book and flipping through the pages. There is also a sense of accomplishment when you finish a real book! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I appreciate it.
Very stress free article on reading for stress relief, reading is a great way to escape your troubles and learn new things at the same time.
I enjoy reading mysteries the most, it always keeps my mind thinking what is going to happen next. I never thought about reading as a stress relief method before, but after reading your article I now understand how it can relieve the stress in our lives.
Yes, reading is a great escape. Thank you very much for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Hello,I am glad to see someone actually write about reading. Man learns while he is alive so he also reads while he is alive. Most of the people forget this fact and don’t like to read anything.The main road to wisdom and knowledge is reading and I’m glad I found out here that it can be used for stress relief too. Very good article and I am looking forward for more articles like this from you.
Cheers
I agree with your comment about reading to learn. Thank you so much, and check back soon for more!
I am Not a bookish person nor do I finish many books that I start to read in my life. But recently I tried to push myself and thought what makes those other people are so advance who can do many things. I found out through what this article is saying the real benefits and excitement in reading. I am 45 years old, with no degree, a high school drop out, and sometimes courage comes by and reminds me that things aren’t too late to patch up and learn those things that I left behind. The advice of your article gives me more courage to continue to read and read … and I will note that! thanks x
Thank you so much for your comment. I am really glad that you took some value from this post, I really enjoyed writing it.
Great article! I never realized that reading could reduce stress and especially faster too!. I always thought the best way to deal with stress was to physically do something in order to get that negative energy out like punching a bag or jogging,etc. but from reading your article i will definitely give reading a shot!
Thank you for your comment. Yes, it’s amazing how reading for stress relief is super beneficial.
Hello. This was a great info article. I got into audio books because I got tired of listening to the same music on my drive to work and back every day. I enjoyed the audio books very much as they gave me something to look forward to while, otherwise, wasting time in my car.
I have never used reading as a way to reduce stress. I need to try that. I purchased a book a few years ago now and have yet to read the first page. Life gets in the way most of the time. Reading your article gave me inspiration to read the book that has been on my mind for years and the fact that it could reduce some stress is just a great bonus.
Thank you for your comment. Audio books are great, I use them frequently. I am so glad you took some inspiration from this post, that makes it all worth it.
Hi, Kris,
I do read a lot while working on my computer, but reading a good book before I go to sleep destress me completely! I would like to read during my break, but I always find something else to do like cooking, which also relaxes me by the way:). My husband loves to watches movies in the evening, and I always suggest him to read instead, but nothing works. He wholly addicted:) I will show him this inspiring article, hoping he will start to read:)
Thank you for this excellent post!
I am glad to hear that cooking is a great stress relief for you. That is great to find something that works. Keep working on your husband, I am sure he will turn it around 🙂
Great use of images and headings to break up your text on the page about stress relief from reading. There are many good reasons to read, and relaxing with a good book is at the top of the list. Some people, I believe, are actually addicted to reading!
I enjoyed reading your About Me page and your presentations of your children.
Thank you.
Hi there
Many thanks for posting such an important article on this great past-time. We all learned to read from an early age and when we were small, our parents made all of us join the local library. We did that and went on to read one book per month, at least.
I firmly believe that we must teach our children that important lesson, whether it’s online or by getting physical books for them.
Nowadays when you travel by train, bus or plane, everyone is on their mobile phones and I suspect that they are not reading books per say, unfortunately.
I love to read just before I go to sleep for about 30 mins or so and I find that it really destresses myself and quitens my mind for a good night’s sleep.
Thanks for the great article on this issue
Cheers PB
I am glad you liked my post. Thanks for your comment. I too am an advocate of reading before bed, it really helps to decompress. Thanks again, have a great weekend.
I really enjoyed reading your article! It took me back to my childhood when I use to read nonstop every day. Those were the days when my parents did allow television in the house. I would often read myself to sleep.
Fast forward to the last 5 years of my life and I now rarely read a book for leisure. Most of the time I spend reading is for my career in medicine. The thing about being a physician is that there are so many expectations placed on us to know everything, it’s often stressful to try and keep up with the constantly advancing field.
I hope someday I can find a balance of both reading for leisure and for professional competency.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I hope you find a balance, I think that is very important. Good luck to you and stop by again soon!
This was very intresting to read. I find myself reading more and more as I age. It’s really a way for me to get away from Worley things. I love a good book and story to take my mind off life issues. This post was spot on I will be sure to share with my friends on Facebook.
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.
I LOVE reading!! I always have at least two books on the go at once and an audiobook as well. I always try to find time to read or if I’m doing something boring, like housework, I put my headphones in and listen to a book. I have a Goodreads account where I am constantly finding new inspiration on what to read and to list what I’ve read – sometimes I forget I read a book! I am up to 159 books so far this year so you can see I devour books. My one regret is there are so many books and not enough of a lifetime to read everything!
Wow, that’s a lot of books, good for you! Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it.