Summer reading - How it can reduce stress and boost your mental and emotional health.
Hello everyone,
I hope you are well and enjoying the long, hot days of summer. It’s been very hot, but also pretty wet at times here in Western Canada. We’ve had some epic storms with crazy hail and even a tornado north of Calgary! Summer is a mixed bag here, but mostly it’s pretty hot and even with work, teenagers home, and some big changes coming up in my family, I’m still trying to keep up with my summer reading. So today, I thought it would be fun to share five of my recent reads with you, and to take a deeper dive into reading as a wellness tool.
I was chatting with a work colleague this past week about our current reads; we share a passion for books and often exchange titles and our thoughts on what we are reading. She mentioned that she is too stressed to read right now, with everything that is happening in her life. Then another colleague mentioned a trip she was taking and we discussed summer reads, but she also decided that her life is too stressful to read and she can’t even concentrate on the page. This got me thinking about how we respond to stress, and why we find it difficult to concentrate on something outside of ourselves, such as characters in a fiction novel, when our stress levels are higher than usual.
So let’s dive into why reading is so beneficial to our mental and emotional health, and some books I have enjoyed this summer.
Reading is known to be one of the ultimate feel good occupations, and studies have shown that it is the number one choice, when we are asked how we love to spend our free time. Not only is it an enjoyable and often relaxing way to spend some down time, but it is also proven to be good for our health. Many of us find being absorbed in an amazing book to be very impactful.
This experience of being fully engaged while reading a story is called narrative absorption, and it serves as more than just an interesting and enjoyable experience, because it can also enhance our sense of wellbeing. Being mentally removed from our physical surroundings, and taking a break from our real life situation, can provide a welcome escape and bring feelings of peace, relaxation, and can also stimulate thoughts that are not attached to general every day worries and problems. A story that is both impactful and interesting tends to stay with the reader, long after the book is complete, and interestingly enough, so do the benefits. Research has shown that reading can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Picking up a book that you are enjoying and reading for even a short time can combat stress. One study conducted by the University of Sussex found that reading for as little as six minutes reduced stress by as much as 68%. The distraction that is created by the concentration used to read the story provides relieve from the stressors of everyday life. This relief slows down the heart rate and muscles relax. The term “losing yourself in a book” describes this ultimate relaxation technique.
Reading also builds relationships and invites community. Book clubs are a great example of this. The friendships that are made through a shared love of reading, and the conversation that is created by a much loved story is why book clubs are so popular. Local libraries are much the same. A entire building devoted to books, reading and serving the community through the magic of story and sharing knowledge. Reading aloud to children is one of the ways that young people learn and grasp the foundations of reading. It is also one of the most comforting and loved activities; the bedtime story is a classic example of how reading nurtures the hearts and minds of children.
So, if reading provides all of these amazing benefits, why do we find it difficult to read and become immersed in a story when we are experiencing stressful events in life? I believe the main issue is focus. When we are experiencing greater than average stress and anxiety levels, it becomes difficult to focus on the latest novel. Our attention can feel like it is exhausted by thoughts and details of the stressors or situations we are dealing with, and we just can’t cope with bringing our attention, concentration and focus to one more thing. Basically, we are saturated from outside stress, and turning to the inner world that lies between the pages of a book, feels too much. It is far easier to scroll on social media or binge watch on Netflix, as we believe that this requires less attention and concentration. So how can we motivate ourselves to get engaged in reading during times of stress?
Find a great book - when we find a really great book, a real page turner, the motivation to read is so much stronger.
Set aside a short amount of time each day - reading right before bedtime is a great time for this.
Find a book club or read the same book as a friend. Discussing the book with other people will motivate you to read it.
One or all of these ideas provides far more motivation to reach for a book during times of stress, and receive the huge benefits of reading for your mental and emotional health, at a time when you really need it! Doing things we love boosts our feelings of contentment and fulfillment, so try to avoid screen overload and lose yourself in the pages of a great book. If you need some inspiration, here are five books I have loved so far this summer, that I think you might enjoy too!
The Rose Code, by Kate Quinn
If WWll historical fiction and stories of strong women interest you, then you will love this book. I was captivated by it from the start and as the story progressed, it became a real page turner. The Rose Code is the story of three very different women who become friends while working as Enigma code beakers at Bletchley Park during a World War ll. Kate Quinn navigates this story at the perfect pace and it quickly becomes difficult to put this book down! The characters are interesting and complex, the various plots are suspenseful and there are some definite twists along the way. Bletchley Park and the three heroines of this story become very real, as the reader is pulled into their lives and transported to the frantic pace and top secret work of the codebreakers who helped to win the war. The Rose Code is a fabulous read; I enjoyed it immensely. I also read it at the same time as my Mum, and we found discussing the story to be really interesting and enjoyable. Find it here: https://www.katequinnauthor.com/books/the-rose-code/
This one is a real page turner!
Escape to Darling Cove, by Holly Hepburn
If you are looking for an easy and enjoyable read to lose yourself in this summer, look no further than Holly Hepburn’s delightful novel Escape to Darling Cove. The story is nicely paced and has some likeable and well constructed characters. As with all of Holly Hepburn’s books, the setting for the story is a strong and loveable character in itself, and this book is no exception. Being transported to the remote and atmospheric island of Ennisfarne; a beautiful, wild and ancient place off the Northumbrian cost of Britain, is magical. The reader quickly loses all sense of daily reality in the pages of this book, whisked away to the shores of Ennisfarne and the story of a local girl and a famous photographer. Escape to Darling Cove is a light and joyful read. Again, my Mum and I read this one at the same time, and loved chatting about the characters and the fun created in this charming story. Find it here: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Escape-to-Darling-Cove/Holly-Hepburn/9781398511934
A bright and breezy summer read!
The Universe has your Back, by Gabby Bernstein
This book is particularly useful if you are going through a difficult or demanding season in life. I would highly recommend it, as the words in these pages have the ability to change fearful thoughts to more positive ones, and to gain new perspectives generally on challenges in life. The author, Gabby Bernstein is a spiritual teacher, author and speaker, and she has written many spiritual and self help books. She also has a podcast called Dear Gabby. The Universe has your Back is an easy and straightforward read. Each chapter is dedicated to a spiritual truth and contains steps that can be taken from the reading, which include journaling and guided meditation. Gabby also tells a story in each chapter, which relates to the spiritual truth and the teachings she offers. The spiritual text A Course in Miracles is referenced in the book, as are some of Gabby’s teachers and mentors, such a Marianne Williamson and Wayne Dyer. If you are looking for a really positive, life changing read that will change your perspective on life, this is the book for you. Find it here: https://gabbybernstein.com/book/the-universe-has-your-back/
A life changing read.
Wise Power, by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer
Another life changing book, this time about the profound transformation of menopause. Written by two authors who created Red School, an online resource for women’s health/spirituality, this book dives deeply into the extensive topic of menopause from a spiritual, emotional and psychological perspective. The physical aspects and changes of this time in a woman’s life are discussed, but this book is layered with the more complex inner world that is transformed during this time. Wise Power is a guide and companion for this phase of life and encourages slowing down, reflecting and trusting that this is the most transformational time of life. I can highly recommend it for women in their late 30’s and onwards, or for anyone at any age, who is interested in delving deeply into the complex phases of womanhood and how truly impactful this understanding can be. Highly recommended. Find it here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/706452/wise-power-by-alexandra-pope-and-sjanie-hugo-wurlitzer/9781401965112
A guide and companion for this transformational time of life.
Meet me at the Well, by Penelope Champ
Meet Me at the Well is written by my dear friend Penny Champ, and is illustrated by her husband Anthony Champ. They are both Waldorf/Steiner education teachers and Penny is a spiritual teacher, mentor, drum maker and leader of women’s circles in Australia and the UK. Meet me at the Well is a collection of 52 verses, one for every week of the year, and it really is a small but mighty treasure of a book. The soul nourishing verses and enchanting art work actually make it feel like a beautiful keepsake; just opening the book to a page and reading the verse selected, accompanied by the colourful, enchanting artwork, is a lovely way to experience wisdom and creativity at any time. Meet me at the Well will serve anyone who is on a path of deepening their spiritual practice. The author writes from the heart and the words, which Penny notes are “the most powerful tools we have as humans” resonate, nurture and infuse the day with positivity and strength. I highly recommend this beautiful book for inviting inspiration, connection and balance to your life. Find it here: https://www.wildsisterwisdom.com/product-page/meet-me-at-the-well-52-verses-to-strengthen-and-nourish-a-women-s-soul
A beautiful book for inviting inspiration, connection and balance to your life.
I would love to know if you have read any of the books mentioned and if so, what you thought of them. As a book lover and someone who is definitely in need of narrative absorption, as I navigate a season of increased stress and change, I would love to know about any of your favourite books. Share away in the comments below!
Leaving the screens turned off for a while, opening a book and being transported to another world, is a wonderful way to boost feel good hormones and combat stress in your daily life. It is an act of self care and really can impact our mental and emotional health in a positive way. Just 10 minutes with a good book each day can go a very long way!
Feel free to chat with me in the comments below, or send me a message on the Connect with Me page of this website. I am available to answer any questions you may have regarding this blog post or any of the health, yoga and wellness topics I cover here on The Be Well Blog. You can also find me on Instagram, YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_dMQQ_4dPD5BJ-J0RZDYrw and Insight Timer https://insighttimer.com/jillsinnott
Come practice with me there, I would love to see you!
And as always if this inspired you today, please share it with a friend; it might inspire them too!
Until next time...Be Well!