I fell in love with reading as a child and was rarely seen without a book in my hand. This even sparked my love for writing and literature, a lifelong passion that will always be a part of who I am.
However, like most people in our generation, I fell victim to social media, incessant scrolling and mental burnout that halted my desire for reading.
Over the past year, I took some breaks from social media in order to rekindle my passions, and have time to actually learn about myself and my interests. I didn’t even realize how much of my time Tik Tok and Instagram were taking up until I stopped using them, and re-discovered some old hobbies.
One of the most impactful pursuits that I’ve found on this journey is reading— not only because it’s reinvigorated a love for literature, but also because it has contributed significantly to my improved mental health. There are so many benefits I’ve found in books; if you’re looking for a way to increase your overall wellness and possibly discover a newfound interest, check out my list of four ways reading benefits my mental health.
1. It Gives my Mind a Break
With constant opportunities to scroll through our phones, it can be difficult to actively make the decision to put down the screen and relax. I even find myself having multiple devices on at once, almost like I need to watch TikToks with a TV show on in the background. All of this constant stimulation makes it almost impossible to actually allow our minds to rest, giving way to some glaring issues mental-health-wise.
Taking time to read for pure pleasure gives me a break from all other stimuli. Turning off the TV, putting down my phone, and lighting a candle while the rest of my world is quiet gives me that mental (and physical) rest that I need.
I find myself feeling more content during this type of free time, as opposed to something that has me continuously seeking more stimulation, but never truly satisfying that need for relaxation.
2. It improves my sleep
Like so many people our age, my biggest barrier in falling asleep at night is my phone. It makes it difficult to fully calm my brain down enough to sleep, and so many apps are designed for infinite scrolling, never satisfying us with a finite end to the day’s content.
Without a bright screen in my face and a never-ending stream of stimuli, I’m allowing myself to wind down from my day and grow tired. I typically read a few chapters a night before growing tired enough to know it’s time for bed, and I can rest more soundly after giving my brain just the right amount of time to calm down.
3. It allows time for hobbies
Once I got in the habit of reading consistently, it became part of my daily or weekly routine. With so many other distractions in life, I often find myself too busy or tired to participate in hobbies each day.
I’ve realized how important it is to take time for pure passion each day in order to distance myself from all my stressors and responsibilities. Participating in hobbies is beneficial for my wellness and mental health because it allows me to explore my interests without the pressure of due dates or perfectionism.
The journey of growing and finding ourselves is often contingent on our passions and the things we do for pure enjoyment, but some hobbies take up more time and energy than we have as full-time students or workers on a daily basis. I’ve found reading to be something that I can substitute for my social media/TV time, and I often feel more satisfied with the hours I spend in a book over compulsive scrolling.
4. It paves the way for other interests
Reading opens the mind to so many other opportunities and interests, because books often include such a well-rounded view of the world (whether we realize it or not). After taking up daily reading last summer, I started a small garden for the first time when I learned about it in one of my books.
The main character in the story enjoyed gardening as a form of self-care, and even though that was such a small part of the plot, it got me thinking about something I had never considered trying before. I’m planning to start a vegetable garden this year, and I don’t think I would have considered that if it weren’t for that book.
Seeing glimpses into others’ lives, whether real or fictional, can allow us to understand and explore the world a little more. This has added to the things I enjoy discovering in my pastime, contributing overall to my wellness and mental health.
Simply put, my mind and body are happier when I feel more productive and try new things!
takeaway:
My overall wellness and mental health benefit greatly by filling my day with productive free time. I feel more satisfied when I balance my responsibilities and interests, and it reduces burn-out to make time for passions daily or weekly.
Even if you’ve discovered that you really don’t enjoy reading, this can be applied to any hobby or interest that contributes to your mental or physical wellbeing. Just remember to take time for yourself in ways that are separate from stressors or required priorities.
You deserve to give yourself that time, and even an hour away from a screen each day can work wonders for every aspect of your health.