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Feeling Better through Bibliotherapy

Reading can help you through anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and stress.

By Annie KielyPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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When you’re in a difficult phase of your life, it can be overwhelming to think of where to begin to dig yourself out again. Sometimes you can feel so low that all the usual advice – exercise, sleep, see friends, set goals – can seem very overwhelming. Reading can feel like a chore for those that don’t enjoy it. But, if you’re someone who loves to be sucked into a good book, bibliotherapy can be a perfect way to move through grief, stress, or a hard time in your life.

Picking your Books for Bibliotherapy

Self-help books can be excellent and life changing, particularly if you are the right audience But the wellness industry is rife with people trying to sell miracle cures to people in vulnerable situations – and books are no exception. There are some excellent self-help books out there, but, the books that you might find most restorative and curative may actually be novels.

Bibliotherapy Works

Bibliotherapy has been the subject of over 30 studies, all of which show that reading (particularly reading fiction) can help. Some participants in the studies were hoping to improve health, lost weight, move through grief, reduce stress, or find time for themselves. Time and again, bibliotherapy has been shown to be an excellent way to self-help, and even better when it is a complement to therapy.

Reading can give Perspective

When times are tough, it can be very helpful to gain perspective through the act of reading. Reading, especially reading novels, memoirs, or any book that is focused on reflection, gives you an opportunity to evaluate your situation. You can see how time heals, how other people got through difficult solutions, the things that helped them and the things they wished they hadn’t done.

There are so many books in this world that sometimes you can find a book that has a premise that is almost identical to whatever tough situation you’re in. But, it can also be helpful to settle down with a novel, memoir or biography that reflects the feelings of your reality, if not the facts.

Reading is a Healthy form of Escapism

Sometimes, the best thing in the world can be to relax into an atmosphere that is different than your own. Reading is a healthy way to “get out of your head”, change your focus, and enjoy a different stream of thoughts for a while. Of course, reading for escapism is something that can be problematic if done to excess. But, that is far less likely to happen with reading than with other forms of escapism, like drugs or alcohol.

It is Healing to Read for Pure Enjoyment

When you’re having a hard time emotionally, are in grief, or are under stress, one of the worst side effects can be anhedonia. Anhedonia is the inability to enjoy fun things you usually would enjoy, even when you have the time. You can’t turn off your brain, settle down, or actually see the fun in anything.

If reading is something you can immerse yourself in and enjoy, that in itself can be healing. The ability to remove your focus from your problems and put your focus elsewhere can give you very important break from mental strain. Even if this is just 5 minutes of relief, reading for pleasure can still help you to feel better in the long run.

Complete Immersion

Have you ever noticed that the activities that you enjoy the most are the ones that grab your full attention? Getting immersed in a book is much easier than getting completely sunk into a television show, movie, or craft. It is so easy to get distracted by conversation, your phone or your to-do list. But, when you are reading, you generally need to use most of your focus.

Finding yourself lost in a book can be one of the best ways to get a break, and train your brain that it is ok to relax and let go of your stress for a little while.

Reading to Heal

Reading is a wonderful way to heal, take care of yourself, and find some time to enjoy in every day. If you are in grief, having some major life changes, suffering from depression or anxiety, or having trouble with stress, reading may provide you with more relief than you can imagine.

Audiobooks, rereading an old favorite, and diving in to a favorite comedy or romance can change your mood and your perspective more than you might imagine. If you’re a reader, and even if you’re not, give it a try.

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About the Creator

Annie Kiely

Annie Kiely is a freelance writer, editor and researcher who lives in the 'burbs of Toronto with her pets and her partner. Annie is an advocate for wellness, mental health education, and literacy. She loves animals and gardening (and food).

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