In today’s Wall Street Journal, there’s a wonderful article by Elizabeth Bernstein titled “The Therapeutic Value of Reading.” Bernstein cites research and the felt experience of the benefits of reading: expansion of ideas, escape, novelty, quieting of the mind, and the dopamine release that can accompany these experiences.
In ordinary times, there may be greater ease with this form of self-care, joy, and an accessible hobby! However, these times are strange and reading during Covid poses challenges for some. Bernstein, noting both the rise in sales of books in 2020 and reports of the challenges in reading during the pandemic (reading more slowly, /poor concentration due to minds fraught with worry), proposes mindfulness practices and practical steps to enjoy a good read, including: meditating, starting short, reading something relevant and/or familiar.
Meditating: a few minutes can ground you and quiet your mind before you begin
Start Short: We feel good completing something…Maybe there’s a short read, article,
short story, poem you can read in one or a few sits
Read Something Relevant: reading to acquire knowledge of something you’re interested
in can provide both the fun of learning something new and perhaps lead you to other
Interests or a delving deeper into a topic you’re drawn to.
Return to Something Familiar: As Bernstein correctly notes, familiarity brings a sense
of comfort. She notes the familiarity of reading a certain genre and/or specific
author can bring forth positive memories or ease- just as creating a ritual around
reading itself: mornings with coffee, outside on your balcony, in your favorite chair, for
example, can do the same
The therapeutic value of reading is undeniable. How lucky we are to have resources available to read both digitally and in print!
To reading, and the gifts of the mind, ease, joy, and connection to the world that reading ultimately offers!
In ordinary times, there may be greater ease with this form of self-care, joy, and an accessible hobby! However, these times are strange and reading during Covid poses challenges for some. Bernstein, noting both the rise in sales of books in 2020 and reports of the challenges in reading during the pandemic (reading more slowly, /poor concentration due to minds fraught with worry), proposes mindfulness practices and practical steps to enjoy a good read, including: meditating, starting short, reading something relevant and/or familiar.
Meditating: a few minutes can ground you and quiet your mind before you begin
Start Short: We feel good completing something…Maybe there’s a short read, article,
short story, poem you can read in one or a few sits
Read Something Relevant: reading to acquire knowledge of something you’re interested
in can provide both the fun of learning something new and perhaps lead you to other
Interests or a delving deeper into a topic you’re drawn to.
Return to Something Familiar: As Bernstein correctly notes, familiarity brings a sense
of comfort. She notes the familiarity of reading a certain genre and/or specific
author can bring forth positive memories or ease- just as creating a ritual around
reading itself: mornings with coffee, outside on your balcony, in your favorite chair, for
example, can do the same
The therapeutic value of reading is undeniable. How lucky we are to have resources available to read both digitally and in print!
To reading, and the gifts of the mind, ease, joy, and connection to the world that reading ultimately offers!
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