Reading as Self - Care

I love reading. I always have. Sadly, I do not get to read as much as I used to. There are many demands on my time, and I struggle to find time to sit and fully engage with a good book. Recently, I took time to read a book I wanted to read for quite some time. When I start a book, I engage fully. I can spend hours lost in the experience. I will stay up well into the early morning hours vowing the current chapter will be my last. As a child, I had no idea about the health benefits of reading. My mother is an educator, so reading was always encouraged for my enrichment. As a busy professional, I am always grateful for opportunities to "lose myself" in a book. It relaxes me and allows me to disconnect from the stress of my daily grind. 

There are several benefits to reading. First, it provides an escape. A good book can transport you to another place and time. If it is well-written, you can envision the characters in each scene. Reading is relaxing and reduces your stress. It can cause you to release those "feel-good" hormones. In addition to learning and enhancing your brain function, reading can improve the quality of your sleep. Stress reduction makes it easier to fall and stay asleep. Spending a few minutes reading reduces your blood pressure and heart rate. Reading also improves the signs and symptoms of depression.

Reading is a great way to escape and spend your self-care time. It benefits your mental, emotional, and physical wellness. There are so many reasons to indulge. Make time for reading.

Here's to your health!