Reading as Self-Care: Finding Solace in Stories

In a world that never stops moving, with never-ending to-do lists and your phone buzzing constantly with notifications, finding a quiet moment where you can escape the noise can feel impossible. But a place exists where the hubbub of the real world can fade into the background, and that place is between the pages of a book. You can find a safe-haven, a place to take a breath, and escape to a world far away from your own. Reading isn’t just a pastime; it’s self-care.

The Power of Books as a Mental Retreat

Books have a magical quality – they can let us travel to faraway lands, different times in history, or just to step into someone else’s shoes for a while. This mental vacation lets us break free from the usual pressures and responsibilities of daily life. You can de-stress, get lost in a story, and quiet the noise of the big wide world outside.

Books can also help us to become more mindful, allowing us to slow down and focus in the moment, fully immersing ourselves in the story. Whether you read an inspiring memoir, a heartwarming novel or a book of poems, reading acts as a gentle reminder to be kind to ourselves and live in the moment.

Finding Time to Read

It can be really hard making time for reading when you have a busy schedule, and it often ends up at the bottom of our to-do list (if it makes it there at all)! Here are three simple suggestions for how to bring reading time into your busy life:

1.       Make it part of your routine – find a time where you can build in a five minute time to read, whether that’s while drinking your first tea of the morning, while commuting on the train to work, or when you are getting ready for bed. Keep the time nice and short so that you know you can make the time for it.

2.       Keep a book handy – whether it’s a physical book, an e-reader, or on your phone, it can come in handy. Rather than scrolling endlessly through social media while waiting in line for something, you can pull out your book instead for five minutes.

3.       Embrace Audio – if sitting down and reading feels too difficult to find the time for, how about listening to audiobooks? Although they aren’t reading in the sense of reading words on the page, they allow you to enjoy stories and books while doing other things like boring housework.

Reading can be such a simple pleasure and a wonderful form of self-care. In a world that constantly demands pulling our attention in ten different directions, taking time to get absorbed in a story reminds us how important it is to rest and find out what sparks joy in us. So, grab a book, find a cozy corner and let yourself escape to a different world – you deserve it!

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If you’re interested in reading a memoir or some poetry, why not check out my books on Amazon or Kindle Unlimited? I’m Not That Depressed is a memoir about living with depression, and Reflections of Imperfections is my book of poems on self-love and compassion. Find them here.