We’ve now spent almost two years staying indoors, owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdowns. And in these two years, we’ve spent our time learning new skills, jumping on the various food trends that went viral, exploring more of our hobbies, spending time with our loved ones, or just resting and recovering from the effects of this pandemic. As for me, I finally sat down with my pile of new books, which I had promised myself I would read a couple of times before, till I actually got the time during the lockdown.
Now, most of us, if not all, can agree that books indeed have the capacity to transport us to a whole new world. You’re one relatable character away from getting lost in a completely different reality. Whether its fiction, or non-fiction, each and every book has its own charm. So it’s not surprising that reading a book also tends to have therapeutic benefits. Let’s see how.
Benefits
Beyond a hobby, beyond learning, reading plays a vital role when it comes to your mental health. According to Ms Bhavya Arora, an internationally-certified psychotherapist, practising in New Delhi, the therapeutic benefits of reading are the following.
• Readers often engage with books they "connect" with. As humans, we are wired for connection and strive hard to achieve it- with people, with our work, with our social settings, etc. Reading can provide space to experience that connection and calm in your own space.
• Reading can help you expand your knowledge, which can help give a boost to your self-esteem.
• Reading can offer you perspectives. Reading can offer the space to look at situations through a different lens and perspective, which is a wonderful skill that we work to cultivate in therapy.
• Reading can create a space of "flow", a trance-like state that is meditative and deeply relaxing, and calming.
• Reading can help build emotional vocabulary! The more words that we can add to our working vocabulary, the better words there are to help us understand and express how we feel.
• Those who live with insomnia report books being very therapeutic for them. Books can help you relax and sleep better.
Tips To Get Started
If you’re wondering where to get started, Ms Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist, rehabilitation, and sports medicine department, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai shares the following tips:
1. Create a reading list: It would be beneficial to identify certain genres of your interest and make a list of books/articles/blogs that you would like to read.
2. Set a goal: Setting a goal is a fantastic way to push yourself to read more. Set a goal to read a specific number of books this year or a certain number of pages each day, for example, and work toward that goal.
3. Schedule a time for reading: To make sure that you will read every day, you need to schedule reading into your day. You could read first thing in the morning, during your commute, before going to sleep or even during lunch.
4. Find a spot: Finding a good place to read will encourage you to read more. It's best if you can find a place that's calm and free of interruptions.
5. Eliminate distractions: Make sure to eliminate any distractions that might be interfering with your reading — turn off the TV and put your phone on silent.
6. Read actively: While passive reading is better than no reading at all, she suggests you try an active approach to reading. Active reading involves thinking about what you are reading, highlighting passages that you think are important or interesting, writing comments and notes either on the book’s margins or in a separate notebook. If you are reading on your smartphone or your e-book reader, take advantage of their highlighting and note features.
7. Keep a reading notebook: Keeping a reading journal is highly suggested, as it allows you to write down favourite quotes, track what books you've read, scribble down any book-related ideas, and make comments on what you've read.
8. Always have a book with you: Whether it's a physical book or an e-book on your smartphone or e-book reader, always have some reading material with you. As a result, you'll be able to read whenever you choose. This permits you to read during your breaks during the day.
9. Know when to stop reading: You don't have to finish every book you start. If the book you're reading is uninteresting or not what you expected, put it down and pick something else to read. The 50-page rule is an excellent one that she likes to employ in her own life. The first 50 pages of a book will tell you whether or not you will enjoy it. If you still don't like it after 50 pages, it's time to try something else.
10. Find a reading buddy: Finding a reading partner might help you stay on track with your reading goals. This could be a close friend, a significant other, or a co-worker.