Musings - Reading is Good for Mental Health

The famed Victorian writer, Lord Thomas Macaulay, wrote on the death of his beloved younger sister,  "that I have not utterly sunk under this blow, I owe chiefly to literature. Literature has saved my life and my reason."

We know that during the pandemic book sales increased, particularly cozy mysteries, as a healthy or positive escapism during the Covid quarantine.  The Associated Press had an article on March 7, 2021 about cozy mysteries being a salve during the quarantine.  I did a blog post about it as well (click here.)  But even before the quarantine and beyond that situation, research is showing that reading has many benefits for our mental health in general.

When we say healthy escapism we mean seeking distraction, diversion, and relief of the mind from harsh and distressing realities or boring routines by seeking entertainment and engaging in fantasy either routinely or occasionally as a coping mechanism.  Healthy escapism provides a respite and mental refresh to face daily emotional trials.  Harmful escapism is the avoidance of reality and the tendency to withdraw from the world altogether such as addictions.

Thus, reading provides that mental escape and we are able to deal with life with a renewed outlook thanks to the emotional vacation provided by the story taking us outside our life and into a fictional world for a few hours.

A study in 2015 from the UK claims that readers are “21 percent less likely to experience feelings of depression.” (click here) 

There is even a reading therapy (called "bibliotherapy") that provides a structured book reading program run by clinics, libraries, and even schools that intends to promote recovery in people facing mental health challenges. (Psychology Today May 24, 2019, Rob Whitley click here.) 

The same 2019 Psychology Today article claims benefits such as increasing reader empathy, social skills, and interpersonal understanding.  Because "readers can deeply engage with characters and scenarios, giving them a better understanding of our shared humanity and common struggles." It states that Dr. Keith Oatley of the University of Toronto (Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology and researcher) often recommends works of fiction to students "in order to increase understanding about mental health. Two favourites are The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Path, both of which give readers a deep understanding of the alienation, loneliness, shaming, stigma and social exclusion that is often experienced by people with mental health difficulties."

University of Michigan studied how reading fiction is tied to reducing stress.  This is after University of Sussex tied reading to reduced stress levels by up to 68%.  Additionally reading is more effective and faster than other relaxation methods such as a cup of hot tea or listening to music.

But a key that is emphasized is that you pick something that interests you.  Don't read what you think you should, that adds stess right away. Be cautious of self-help books, they have been shown to increase stress.  Pick a fiction novel that captures your imagination or dig into an activity or hobby that fascinates you like travel or cooking.  Read where and when you won't be interrupted, too.  Keep looking until you find the genre or topic that helps you to leave your stresses behind, even if it is for only thirty minutes at a time.

Let's recap, reading: 

• provides healthy escape from life's stresses, 
• makes us more understanding, 
• provides opportunity to identify with others in similar circumstances (empathy), 
• provides mental activity, 
• lessens depression, 

 and additionally reading: 

• keeps the mind active,
• expands vocabulary, 
• improves memory,
• improves brain connectivity and function, 
• and improves analytical thinking skills.

The next time somebody criticizes how you're being bookish, remind them that you are supporting good mental health and they should try it.