Growing up I always loved to read; it was a way of transporting myself to other cultures, timelines, scenarios and it would allow me to completely disconnect from anything that was going on in my life. As I became an adult, life came with more pressing priorities and I didn’t spend as much time reading as I did in my high school and college years.
I am continuously “coaching myself” and researching so that I can have the tools to support my clients in their health and wellness journey. As I explained in a different post about the wheel of life and how examining the different sections can help you map the areas to work on, Fun is one of the sections that I felt I was not paying much attention to (see blog post here if you are not familiar with the wheel of life and its elements – https://jennypena.com/2023/08/25/the-wheel-of-life/) and as I was exploring how I could enrich this area of my life, I rediscovered reading.
Now is reading really beneficial? I decided to do a little research and after finding many different clinical studies and articles, I can share the ones that I find to be key:
- Stress Levels – Reading provides a mental escape and relaxation that results in lower stress levels.
- Empathy – Experiencing different perspectives through reading increases your understanding and empathy for others.
- Cultural awareness – Through exploration of different cultures, histories, and social issues, reading can enrich your cultural understanding.
- Focus and concentration – Attention spans in other areas of life improve as reading requires focus and concentration.
- Mental Health – Reading can provide emotional support and a sense of connection, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Lower risk of cognitive decline – Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
- Sleep quality – Reading before bed can create a calming bedtime routine, leading to better sleep quality.
- Entertainment – Fiction offers a source of enjoyment and entertainment, which can enhance overall well-being and life satisfaction.
So, after finding so many benefits, I decided to carve some time for reading and it has been such a wondering add to my routine. I finished my first fiction book (in a pretty long time) and I can already feel the benefits; started slow and just had a goal of reading for 10 minutes at least 3 times a week and ended up being every evening for about 15-20 minutes. My sleep improved, I was able to laugh and my brain felt activated as I imagined the scenes within the book in my mind.
So if reading is your thing (or even if it isn’t), I will suggest you follow these steps to explore and see if you can add this to your routine:
- Identify the type of topics or themes that may interest you. I love romance and crime so I alternate.
- Hit your local bookstore or library and ask for suggestions. The staff will be able to give you a few choices for you to explore.
- Look at your calendar and pick a time and place to add this activity. I love pairing habits with an already established one, so if you always have a cup of tea add 5-10 minutes of reading. If you typically watch tv, switch that and grab the book instead.
- Explore ebooks and audiobooks, however, personally I enjoy turning the pages. There is something about it that makes the experience a bit different.
- If your book pick doesn’t really bring you joy, don’t give up! There is surely a genre, writer and book out there that will surely bring you joy.
Feel free to share if you are incorporating this into your summer routine and feel free to share your favorite books.
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