If you have been following me for a while, you would know I always turn to books as a coping mechanism. They have been there during the darkest phases of my life including the death of my father. And more recently when my mother was hospitalized.
I am often asked for mental health book recommendations. Personally, I feel self-help books are not the magic pill. Don’t get me wrong. I am all for them. But there is a time and place for every book. What works for me might not work for you. And vice versa.
I am sure you are well aware about how beneficial reading is for mental health. It helps reduce stress and alleviates depression. It keeps the brain stimulated reducing the risk of dementia. Bibliotherapy is applied to patients suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma or addiction. And often suggested to those struggling with loss.
In 2021, as a part of Blogchatter‘s #CauseAChatter campaign, I shared book recommendations on mental health including Memoirs and Personal Narratives and Essential Reads for Family Caregivers.
Today I share with you time-tested tips on how to read to boost mental health. Tips that I swear by. Tips that apply toboth avid and new readers.
Schedule a reading time / Make a plan
Reading is food for the soul and it is time to put yourself first. Make a plan and schedule a reading time that works for you. Reading before bed is a great way to unwind. Or perhaps you can start the day with a good book. This is your me time and defend it passionately.
Set the mood. Put on some soothing music, light a candle, and curl up with a book.
Read what works for you
Self-help books are great and some of them are indeed life-changing. But let’s get real. They do not always work. The worst you can do when you are overwhelmed is to force-read a book with all those swimming words.
If you are a new reader or otherwise, try out different genres to find one that works for you. Feel good books. Cheesy romances. Fantasy fiction. They are called comfort reads for a reason.
On days when I am feeling low, romance picks work like a charm. There is something comforting in the escapist reads with happily ever afters.
Steer clear with trigger warnings
A few months after my father passed away, I recall reading an indie romance. Out of nowhere, the story veered to the protagonist struggling with the guilt of not having done enough to save her father. That sent me on a downward spiral since it was the guilt I was struggling with too. It took me weeks to recover
The reading community is still undecided whether trigger warnings are spoilers but they are extremely beneficial. Before picking a book, make sure to check the trigger warnings. Although the two books come highly recommended, I would not suggest Book Lovers and The Reading List if you are coping with a loss of a loved one.
Reading To Boost Your Mental Health: 6 Time-Tested Tips @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand @bakezbydaizy #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
Experiment with Audiobooks
There are days when you don’t want to do anything and just stay under the covers. Audiobooks work perfectly in such a scenario. They also work best for days when you have too many things on your hands and are struggling to find time to read.
Join a reading community
The only other thing as much fun as reading is talking about the books.
If you are a blogger, post a book review on your blog and kick start a conversation. Join a book club and diversify your reading. Drinks and chit chat are the cherry on top.
Take a break
One of the Reader’s Bill of Rights is the right to not read.
If you are unable to read, don’t fret. It is not worth it. The idea is to improve mental health and not add to the anxiety. By all means, binge-watch that show that has been on the watchlist for a while. No one is judging you here.
Hope you find the tips beneficial and they set you on the journey for reading to help boost mental health. Do you have some tips to share? Would love to know them. Do share in the comments below.
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by BakezbyDaizy.
Image by Canva
September 23, 2022 @ 12:43 pm
‘Read what works for you’ – so simple yet powerful. Sometimes are are reading coz someone recommended something and it may not really work for us/our situation/frame of mind. I really like your tips. Thanks for sharing
October 7, 2022 @ 11:25 pm
Thanks Pooja 😊
September 24, 2022 @ 7:54 am
Yes ur right books are good for us, its helps us understand and overcome. Also, its true everyone has a different approach to take over their stress some indulge in books others in music.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:26 pm
Quite true. Reading should not be a chore.
September 24, 2022 @ 7:49 pm
Will you trust me if I say what you mentioned in this post are something I actually do in real life? Mental health actually improves or stay healthy following your tips.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:27 pm
Thanks Samata 😊
September 25, 2022 @ 10:26 pm
Great tips. Reading definitely helps in improving mental health. Keeps you occupied, improves knowledge, share your thoughts with like minded people and many more benefits. Reading community is a great option.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:28 pm
Thanks Swati. 😊 Reading communities are underrated.
September 26, 2022 @ 11:57 am
I agree completely. We have to fix a particular time to read then only we can read a book. I try to put a goal and finish it for every months.y I want to listen the audio books. Will you please suggest where I can get it?
October 7, 2022 @ 11:30 pm
You can check out Storytel. It has an excellent collection and not limited to monthly credits like Audible
September 26, 2022 @ 6:16 pm
I feel ashamed to read this blog. i used to share such suggestions for reading. I started one book months ago and haven’t finished it yet. I should doob maro 🙂
October 7, 2022 @ 11:32 pm
Haaww. Phir hamara kya hoga. I would love to peek into your reading list. 😊
September 26, 2022 @ 8:54 pm
what a nice post Ritu. I haven’t been able to read well for a long time n I feel really bad. like uv recommended, I think I must start with light books, romances etc just to get a hang. n ican do audio books easily… wonder y i haven’t thot of that option.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:34 pm
Audiobooks are a great choice. I would highly recommend Emily Henry books.
September 26, 2022 @ 11:27 pm
Reading is the best way to satisfy our curiosity and imagination! Reading allows us to unwind, inspire ourselves and reach our full potential on a personal, professional, or spiritual level. I totally agree on all your pointers.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:37 pm
Exactly Anjali 😊
September 27, 2022 @ 12:19 pm
I absolutely agree. You should read what you want to read. Not what everyone else is reading even if you are not liking it. Audiobooks are a great idea.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:38 pm
Absolutely. I learnt from the best. 😊
September 27, 2022 @ 5:29 pm
I love reading in any way. It is a stress breaker for me. But sometimes when I am unable to finish book I get anxious. Right not to read bill is something new for me.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:44 pm
I get that. It takes time to be comfortable DNF-ing books.
September 27, 2022 @ 9:47 pm
I so agree to the points you make. Reading works wonders on your mental health be it as a escape route, diversion tactic, improvement or understanding self. I also agree that sometimes we can overwhelm ourselves with the reading – iam on a break now and reading only your run-of-the mill romances when i feel the urge.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:45 pm
I have those phases too. Particularly during the Holiday season. 😊
September 28, 2022 @ 10:07 am
Hand on my heart, every word you’ve said here has resonated so so so strongly! Brilliant compilation
October 7, 2022 @ 11:45 pm
Thank you so much Nikita 😊
September 28, 2022 @ 11:52 am
Thats an excellent post Ritu! Bibliophiles like you and me can devour every kind of medium I believe. However PPL who are scared of reading, audio books are a great option for them!
October 7, 2022 @ 11:46 pm
Thank you Mandira 😊
September 29, 2022 @ 12:03 am
I technically need a break, And your post made me understand why I’ve been so tired these days.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:46 pm
I am glad to read that, Monidipa. It is perfectly okay to take a break.
September 29, 2022 @ 1:06 am
Audiobooks are something I have never tried. I am guilty of taking up the habit of reading on and off.
October 7, 2022 @ 11:47 pm
You should definitely try them, Jhilmil. Most of my reads are audiobooks now.
September 29, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
I totally agree with these points. Reading is strengthening the mind
October 7, 2022 @ 11:47 pm
Thank you Neelam
December 29, 2022 @ 9:20 am
“Read What Works for You” is so true! I don’t really read self-help but find intense personal satisfaction from reading philosophy — for me, that’s “self help”! Great post
January 21, 2023 @ 12:49 pm
There are so many degrees of mental health issues. Though I never acknowledge it even to myself, I’m a highly anxious person who gets easily wired or stressed and this consequently plays out in my physical health. Throughout my life, however, books have been a calming anchor and even now just following a routine and making sure to read a few pages before bed helps my mental state tremendously. This doesn’t mean that I read mental health books. The very act of reading is therapeutic! Your post really resonates.