In an accelerating world full of continuous digital noise and daily stressors, the answer to calmness may be as simple as reading. Research shows that even six minutes of reading is enough to calm the mind and reduce stress up to 68%. This is even better than listening to music, sitting down for a cup of tea, or taking a walk.
Reading works the brain differently than most activities. When you pull yourself into a good book, you distract yourself from life’s worries. You focus and remove your attention away from what causes anxiety, which is good for heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. You allow your mind to quiet down and slow down, your heart rate decreases, and you allow yourself to escape life for a moment and allow yourself to focus simply on words and imaginary thoughts.
Reading requires a level of engagement that some activities do not. Reading generates activity in the brain, encourages concentration, and expands creativity. This mental engagement also produces an excellent form of meditation and allows us to relax physically and emotionally as well.
Although reading can help reduce stress, we rarely hear about other benefits. Reading regularly has been shown to help you sleep better, become more empathetic, and have a better memory. Reading also helps develop emotional intelligence, as readers become acquainted with different characters and viewpoints.
Squeezing in something to read, even if only for a few minutes could provide a kind of reset for your mind. A good novel, a short story, or even a poem, you just need to find something interesting! Next time you feel pinned down, pick up a book and you may find an easier way to cope!
