At all times, but especially this past summer, I’ve been focused on improving my overall physical health and well-being. I’ve changed my diet and lost 25 pounds, and have learned to run (apparently running is a learned skill, not so easy to just get off the couch one day and do it!) I’m so proud of my achievements and am working every day to better myself.
One area that we all can improve on, and that needs special attention sometimes more than others, is our mental health and well-being. We’re told to learn ways to reduce stress but it can be difficult when we’re running households and working. For me, I’ve made a conscious and deliberate choice to return to one of my favorite past times: reading. It turns out, it does more than just feed my need to slow down, reading actually has overall health and wellness benefits:
1) Reading Can Reduce Stress
According to a 2009 study conducted by the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, reading can reduce stress levels by as much as 68 percent, even more than listening to music or going for a walk. Study co-author Dr. David Lewis, a neuropsychologist at Mindlab International at Sussex, and colleagues found that participants who engaged in just 6 minutes of reading – whether a newspaper or a book – experienced a slowed heart rate and reduced muscle tension.
2) Reading Can Improve Sleep
Smartphones have become our regular bedtime buddy. Where’s the harm in having a quick check of Facebook before lights out? According to research, it could wreak havoc for your sleep. A study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine found that using a smartphone just before bedtime is linked to shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality. This is primarily because the light emitted from the devices reduces production of melatonin in the brain – a hormone that tells us when to sleep. So what better excuse to swap your smartphone for a book before bedtime; according to the Mayo Clinic, creating a bedtime ritual – such as reading a book – can “promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.”
3) Reading Can Enhance Social Skills
A study reported by MNT found that individuals who read fiction scored much higher on tests of empathy than those who read nonfiction. Study author Keith Oatley, of the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the University of Toronto, suggests that fiction allows the reader to engage with the characters, which may lead to increased empathy with others in reality. Plus, it offers great conversation starters with your friends when you can bring up the latest great read (also: finding a book club is a great way to get out more and meet new people who hold a common interest!)
If you’re looking for your next great read, ask your friends what they’re reading and what they’d recommend. I’ve also really enjoyed the Goodreads App this summer – users rate and give reviews on the books they’ve read and you can make a list of books you’re interested in reading later too.
I’ve got an amazing giveaway to share with readers from my friends at Simon and Schuster Canada! They sent me the books in the photograph and I’ve devoured two of them so far!
Still Water/ Amy Stuart
Dear Mrs. Bird/ AJ Pearce
When Life Gives You Lululemons/ Lauren Weisberger
Her Pretty Face/ Robyn Harding
Foe/ Iain Reid
Have you read any of the above or head some buzz about them? Still Water is actually Book 2 in a series, but I didn’t realize this until after I was finished reading it (Still Mine is book 1) so you could read it on its own like I did too. It was a really great mystery! Now, the second book of the group I’ve read so far that I absolutely loved and would put on my Top Books for 2018 is Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding! If you liked Big Little Lies and that type of genre, I think you’d like this book too. It’s a really great story, and if you have any familiarity with Canadian crime in the past few decades, you might sense some familiarity like I did (please message me if you read it so we can talk about it later!) I’m going to read Foe by Iain Reid next, which is a bit of a departure from what I’ve been reading lately but sounds really interesting (full links are above to learn more about each book!)
Simon and Schuster Canada is giving my readers the opportunity to win 1 of 3 prize packages featuring all these books! To enter to win, simply fill in your name and email address in the form below and then click BEGIN! Then simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me why YOU love reading! Don’t forget there are bonus entries available to increase your chances! Good luck everyone!
I have always loved reading! I always did the summer reading programs at our library during the summer.
I haven’t read any of those books, they are on or will be on my Goodreads list 🙂
All my life a book has come with me pretty much everywhere. Never leave home without one!
I love reading because it makes me feel like I’m going on all sorts of adventures without leaving my couch!
I love reading because I’m a writer and it enhances my writing toolkit. It’s also an enjoyable escape and learning experience!
I am most interested in reading Foe!
Reading is a great way to relax after a busy day!
I find reading to be a wonderful way to pass the time; it allows me to rest and escape from my racing thoughts!
I love to read to not only entertained by the stories but love to read history and many different types of books! I find reading very relaxing! The love of reading has passed on to my children!
I’ve loved reading since I was young. I love the opportunity to experience different things with the characters of books.
I love to read because I get an opportunity to recharge and unwind while immersing myself in any other world or topic. I can ready anywhere and I always have a book available sonits the ideal relaxation technique!
I am a HUGE reader – I love being transported to another world through books 🙂
I loved to read since I was a child and I think it is because it transports me to new ways of thinking and imaginative stories.
I am interested in reading Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce. I think it would be very interesting.
Soooo exciting!
I have always found reading to be very relaxing. I’m looking forward to curling up with a blanket and a good book this fall.
I love reading to learn new things and get lost in new worlds.
I love reading and have a growing list of books, but I find it hard to make time for myself. I loved your blog post on this topic and I totally agree with how it is good for you in so many ways! Once my kids go back to school, I will have more time and plan to get through my list! Would be awesome to win, always nice to try out a new book that is different then my usual go-tos! Thanks!
I love reading it’s my way of getting away from the real world and relaxing
I am an elementary school teacher and I teach my students the importance of reading and often don’t spend the time to do it myself (doing other professional duties or just having down time that’s not reading). Over the summer I committed to reading instead of tv and I finished 5 books. Now I’m sad that I don’t have as much time but am still trying to keep that commitment to read as it was so engaging.
I make time everyday for reading as I find it so relaxing!
When Life Gives You Lululemons sounds a great read
Reading is a form of entertainment that I enjoy.
I love reading for many reasons. One of those is I love to learn.
I would like to read FOE.
It’s a brain break from the real world!
I love reading – it’s a great escape!
I love reading because I find it relaxing and you can take a book anywhere and enjoy it.
I am most interested in reading Her Pretty Face.
I’ve been a huge reader since I was a kid! It’s so fun to escape into another world. I haven’t been able to read as much as I’d like having had a baby in the last year, but I’ve been getting back into it and have read 6 books or so in the last few months! I’m ready for some additional material! Thanks for the chance to win, these sound great.
I’m most interested in reading Her Pretty Face – I love those thrillers! (my fave is Gone Girl!)
I love reading for the escapism and the chance to expand my horizons.
I have always loved reading! Didn’t matter what the book is as long as it interests me, I’ll read it!
Still Water by Amy Stuart sounded really interesting!
I love reading because it helps me understand people who are different than me, and exposes me to cultures, religions, and ways of life that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience!
I like to read to get away from my world and into someone else’s. Nothing like a good book.
I am interest in reading When Life Gives You Lululemons first.
Reading books is so relaxing and fun for me. It is definitely my favourite thing to do! I am a huge book worm 🙂
I really want to read ‘When Life Give you Lululemons’ it looks great! I have read ‘Still Water’ already and I loved it!
Oh I cannot wait to read Foe
#1 I was an avid reader when I was younger and haven’t picked up a book since Netflix. need to get back into it!
#2. FOE is the title i’m most interested in.
When I was in high school reading was an escape, now that I’m older and happier I think of reading as a way to live other lives and see other places without leaving home.
Dear Mrs. Bird is on my must read list!
I would love to read ‘When Life Gives You Lululemons’!
I find reading relaxing!
I read to take a break from the chaos of having 3 kids… and another on the way!
I love reading as it is relaxing. Foe would be my choice to read.
Im most interested in reading Foe
I love reading because I find it is a great escape from the daily grind.
I love to read as I find it relaxing and and an escape from the everyday.
Reading is my me time. I find it relaxing and can devour books as long as I have quiet 🙂 thanks!
Reading is a good way to escape from reality. I think that it’s interesting to dive into another’s imagination through their writing. I like still water.
I love reading because it clears my head, lets me focus on something new. And gives me my own time.
Reading is a great way to relax
I love reading as it takes you out of the everyday and transports you to another reality. I love to read in the tub.
I am most interested in Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce.
I’ve loved reading since I was a young child, above my age level, it was an escape and still is today.
Would love to read FOE
I started reading at three years-old and have never stopped. I just love disappearing into the words and I find it so relaxing.
I would like to read When Life Gives You Lululemons as I have read good reviews of it and it seems like a humorous, poignant book.
I love reading as I find it is a great way to unwind, destress and have some me time …..
I love the full body escape that comes when reading.
I love exploring new places and times in books.
I love reading because it relaxes me. I have to read at least one page before going to bed to shut my mind down.
I love reading because it takes me away from everyday life for a moment.
Reading recharges me.
My love of reading and escaping for a few hours was initiated by my mother. What a great gift! I gave passed on that love to my children
Foe would be at the top of my list!
I have loved reading since I was little. It’s relaxing, fun, educational and entertaining. It opens up the whole world to you without having to go anywhere and gives you the ability to see things from many different perspectives.
I am most interested in reading Dear Mrs. Bird because I’ve heard so many great things about it.
Reading fulfills my goal of life long learning. It provides me with opportunities to learn much about world history, geography, and political sentiments that just didn’t ‘gel’ during school years. A great work of fiction/historical fiction can sweep me away on a grand adventures for hours.
I love reading as it’s the perfect way to unwind and relax. Whether it’s at my lunch break or at the end of a long day.
I live to read because I learn new things and reading reduces stress in my life. I believe that reading every day that I can makes me a healthier person!
I love reading because its like having extra lives and doing exciting things like the characters in the books I read.
From this list, I’m most interested in reading When Life Gives You Lululemons
I have always loved reading. There is so much I don’t know & reading fills in many gaps however I find the most relaxing past time
I love psychological thrillers so my pick would be Foe
I can’t remember a time in my life that I have not had a book in my hand. When life gets crazy I try to find even more time to read to keep me sane.
I love reading because it gives me an escape. I’m currently on maternity leave, so reading grown up books gives me a break from all things baby lol.
Dear Mrs Bird interests me. My reading club picked it to read and I haven’t been able to get a copy from the library
I love reading because reading allows me to learn about other people and cultures, to learn about ‘what makes some people tick’, and finally, for enjoyment and escape!
I’ve loved reading my whole life, for so many reasons, but none beat that feeling of reading a completely satisfying novel and getting lost in it.
Thanks for the opportunity to win these fabulous books:)
I’d like to read Her Pretty Face!
Reading is a way for me to learn, explore other worlds and/or be entertain by someone’s imagination.
I like reading as it brings me to a different place. Always looking for new authors & stories to read.
I love reading because it is great entertainment. I always say reading is just like watching a ovie but you get to envision the characters and surroundings exactly how you want them to be.
I’m intrigued by When Life Gives You Lululemons
I love to read! Always have! It’s an escape from my hectic life!
I love reading because it’s very relaxing
Reading is how I relax; love it! Will be adding these titles to my goodreads wish list
Reading has always been a hobby of mine, I enjoy a good book!
I love reading because it’s relaxing!
I’d love to read when life gives you lululemons!
I love reading because I love a good story and it fuels your imagination!
It’s a great way to escape and always learn something new
I read as much as I possibly can. It’s a way to use your imagination, to expand your mind, to empathize with other people, and it’s a huge source of joy!
I want to read all of these books, but I think I’d start with Dear Mrs. Bird
This would be a great assortment to propel me back into reading.
Still Water, I love a great mystery.
I love reading because even when I’m feeling stuck in one place, a book can take me to a whole new world.
I’ve always loved reading; it gives me a break from everyday life to relax and enjoy a good story.
I never enjoyed reading when I was young but only recently I started, like a year ago, and I’m hooked,, I love reading all kinds of books, and I learn so much too and learning new words also love it and I won’t go back I want to keep reading
I love reading because the words sweep me away to different worlds and places. With words I am able to experience so much more. Reading always brings me joy and I am so grateful that I am able to do so.
Reading is such an escape for me! I look being transported into the book.
Because it takes me to a different world, sometimes real, sometimes imagined. It widens my perspective, makes me think of things differently, and also, because i enjoy it.
I think it keeps up your skills of reading and learning new words and using your imagination.
Thanks for sharing the benefits of reading! I could not agree with you more. I also like how reading helps develop a sense of empathy for people who may not have the opportunities to experience what others went through in real life.
Books take me to places I would never be able to afford to go, and learn about people I could never meet.
I am interested in reading Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce.
Still Water/ Amy Stuart
I like the escape my mind takes when j get into a good book
Still Water by Amy Stuart is one I would like to read
I’ve loved reading my whole life. A weekly trip to the library was an event when I was a child. So reading is, and always has been, an escape.
I find reading relaxing.
I’m interested in reading Still Water
reading gives me a moment to sit back and relax, while either fantasy or learning something new
I read to relax and recoup. I find it a great escape from my every day stress as I can fully immerse myself in a good book and not think about everything, at least for a few hours.
The title I’m most interested in is Foe. It sounds like a very interesting read, different from what I normally read.
Am keen to read Her Pretty Face as it looks interesting!
It is always great to get lost in a good book.
I love to read because it is a great way to relax after a busy day.
Love to read to give me an escape from the everyday.
I love reading because you always learn new things.
It is the most immersive form of entertainment!
Still Water by Amy Stuart interests me from the list!
I love reading because it is a good way to relax and escape for a bit
I want to check out When Life Gives You Lululemons/
I am an avid reader – I used to participate in reading contests at the library and I won. I find it relaxing, and the perfect escape from reality!
Dear Mrs. Bird sounds like my kind of book!
I like reading because it’s relaxing and exciting. I can get so wrapped up in a book, but i don’t read nearly as often as i’d like to!
Love reading! Her pretty face is on my list
I love reading since I was very young. I think its a great pass time.
I love reading for so many different reasons. It exposes me to new ideas and feelings, it gives me a few minutes of escape every day, it’s the perfect rainy day activity, it fuels my passion for writing, and every new book comes with new adventures and friends.
Still Water sounds really interesting to me!! I would love to give each of these a read though. Thanks!
to experience new people and places
I love reading because that’s what I enjoy to do when I have some “ME” time. Also, I travel on public transit every day to and from work so I have time to read.
I have always been a reader. I learned by reading comic books. When I was in public school I would always be in the library and always with a pile of books to take home. Im now 54 and still read aplenty.
I enjoy reading as a way to relax and often times escape from reality.
The book I’m most interested in is Dear Mrs. Bird.
I love reading because it it a break from your own life and gives you a peek into another’s…
I am interested in reading When Life Gives You Lululemons/ Lauren Weisberger
Most interested in reading Her Pretty Face.
It helps me escape the everyday!
I go through reading spurts. I will absolutely love reading for months on end, and then I will hit a not so interesting read and stop for a month. I can’t leave a book unfinished though, which is why I stop for a while.