How Reading Can Decrease Stress

by Tara Bell

I am writing this amidst the progression of the Corona Virus, which no doubt is inflicting stress among many of you. Whilst people may attempt to alleviate this stress through bulk-buying toilet paper or covering themselves in hand sanitiser, a completely separate outlet for this stress may be needed.

I find that less and less people are viewing reading as a necessary part of life, but instead a rare luxury. Or conversely, I have heard people say that they ‘hate reading’ before proceeding to read a poorly written article on The Sun about the current relationship status of former Love Island contestants, and the like. Therefore, I suggest that people take advantage of the different types of books available to them if they haven’t already, as they may be pleasantly surprised.

Reading is proven to relieve many of the symptoms associated with stress; it lowers heart rate, decreases blood pressure, eases muscle tension and overall reduces stress by 68% (according to a study carried out by the University of Sussex in 2009). It functions as a form of escapism from everyday life, as you are sent into a literary world completely void from the issues that otherwise inflict stress. I also think that it enables people to develop more empathy, as they gain an insight into the perspective of many different characters who possess a strong likeness to real-life people. I am sure everyone has heard the assertion that ‘the book was better than the film’; I think the imagination ignites a deeper interest in the story than a film would. In this way it is tailored to the reader’s perspective, and they are immersed into the story instead of merely observing it from an outsider’s perspective.

Reading also helps to support the brain; in the process of retaining events in the story’s plot, new memories in the brain are formed, which means new synapses are created and the existing memory and recall ability are strengthened. Further evidence conveys reading to improve health, as the elderly who read are two and a half times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Considering the fact that everyone appears to be increasingly health-conscious as of late, taking up this new hobby can only be beneficial.