ReadingforWell-Being.

by JoannaPozzulo,Ph.D.

Bought or borrowed, hardcover, paperback, e-book, or audiobooks give readers several options for enjoying their reading.

HowpopularisreadinginCanada?

According to BookNet Canada, many Canadians enjoy reading and list it among their favourite leisure activities. Moreover, approximately 50% of Canadians report reading or listening to books weekly, while just over 30% read or listen to a book daily. So, if you are a reader, you're in great company!(1,2)

Whyread?

Books can educate and transform lives, and readers can experienceseveralbenefits.

Stressreduction

According to the World Health Organization, stress is “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.” It is likely safe to say that everyone has or is experiencing stress. Unfortunately, stress can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health, especially when you need these very resources to cope and manage stress. Depending on your stressful situation, engaging in some stress management activities, such as eating healthy, getting regular exercise, socializing,etc.,maynotbefeasible(3)

One activity that has been associated with stress management and that is often a viable option for many is reading. Picking up the latest bestseller or whatever type of book interests you can significantly reduce stress. One report from the University of Sussex suggests that reading for 6 minutescanreducestressby68%.(4)

Stress reduction may occur because your mind is distracted from what is "stressing" you. Thirty minutes of reading was found to have a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate comparabletodoing30minutesofyoga.(5)

Slowingcognitivedecline

Some cognitive changes are a normal part of the aging process. For example, processing information may take a little longer, and some memory and language abilities may change. (6)

Reading for Well-Being con`t

Engaging in activities that help build and preserve cognitive function, such as reading, may help. In one study that followed people 64 years old and older across 14 years, those who read more (greater than once a week) had a lower risk of decreased cognitivefunctionthanthosewhoreadless.(7)

Engaging in reading helps increase your ability to concentrate. Readingprovidesexerciseforyourbrain.

Improvingwell-being

Bibliotherapy is reading books to supplement other therapeutic modalities to support well-being and improve mood. Reading Well is an organization in the United Kingdom where health professionals and those with lived experience suggest book options to support well-being, and 91%ofreadersreportedthatthebooktheyreadwashelpful. (9)

However, readers don't necessarily need to fall within the "self-help" category to gain benefits fromreadingbooks.Fictionbookscanprovidewell-beingbenefits,includingimprovingmood(10)

Thekeymaybetoreadwhatyouenjoy!

Communityreading?

Often, reading is thought of as a solitary activity. But what about if we read within a "community"? The benefits of a community include improved well-being, decreased social isolation, and increasedconnectedness.(11)

Intriguingly, book clubs may allow you to reap the benefits of reading and community. Book club meetingscanbein-person,virtually,hybrid,ordigital.

If you want to join a book club, your local public library often has options. Recently, I started a "Reading for Well-Being Community Book Club through the Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH; carleton.ca/mental-health at Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario).

Each month, I select an evidence-based book on some aspect of well-being and provide my take on it. A digital platform posts book selections and reviews and communicates with members. People can participate regardless of where they are physically located. In addition, members can post about what they are reading. All are welcome, and sign-up is available here: mewerthsreading-for-well-being-community-book-club

Readingisjoy,theendofthestory.

Joanna Pozzulo, Ph.D. Chancellor’s Professor Department of Psychology Director,

Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH) Carleton University