Ways To Improve Your Well-being: Reading

Is there anything better than curling up with a good book? Books aren’t just an enjoyable source of entertainment—they can also be a valuable resource in your well-being journey.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that reading can lower your heart rate and ease tension in your muscles, while also reducing stress up to 68%. Reading can also improve your focus, memory, empathy and communication skills.  

In today's busy world filled with devices, it can be hard to find the time to sit down and read. Here are some tips to help you incorporate reading into your daily routine: 

• Read before you go to bed.
  • Instead of scrolling on your phone before bed (which can actually negatively impact your sleep!), opt to read a book before bed. If you continue to do this frequently, it can become a part of your nighttime routine.
• Set a reading goal.
  • Challenge yourself by setting a goal for how many books you want to read in a year. Use an app such as Goodreads to track your progress and share with your friends at the end of the year. 
• Try an audio book.
  • Audio books are a good alternative to an actual book and allow you to do other things while listening, like driving or going on a walk. Many authors will read their audio books; it can be interesting to hear them read their own words! 
• Join your local library.
  • When was the last time you went to your local library? It's a free resource and has a great selection of fiction, nonfiction, magazines, cookbooks and audiobooks. You can even reserve books online and they will pull from other nearby libraries, making it more convenient for you to pick up. 
• Create a good reading space.
  • By having a comfortable space designated for reading, you may be more likely to want to read and will associate that space with comfort and relaxation. 
• Join a book club.
  •  Shared reading acts as a launching pad for learning about those reading with you, allowing you to share opinions and insights and also reflect on questions about the book.

Having new books on hand can help you have something to look forward to once you finish your current book. Share some of your favorite books you've read in the comments below!

If you have any questions about well-being, please contact Kim Butterfield at kmbutterfield@carilionclinic.org.