Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and the Science of Well-Being
  • About Me
  • Book Reviews & Recommended Reading
  • Consultation/Fees/Contact Information
  • Blog
  • Positive Psychology & Mindfulness

Beyond the Joy of Reading

2/3/2021

0 Comments

 
​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!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Nadia Brewart, Ph.D., is a student of life with an insatiable curiosity about what it means to be human, amidst encounters with the human condition. 

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.