Reading for stress relief

From Lowering Stress Naturally

After a stressful day or situation, we often find it difficult to let go of the events or encounters that have made us tense. We continue to replay those moments in our minds over and over. As a result, we continue to feel tense long after the encounter is past.

An inexpensive temporary escape from this cycle of thought can often be found by reading. Each of us will have different preferences of reading material, but to lose oneself in a book we find truly interesting is a great escape to another line of thought or a different place. Once the stressful cycle of thought is broken and we put the book down, it is easy to move on to thoughts of other aspects of our lives or other people.

The printed page has a huge impact on our thinking. Therefore, it is very important to choose our reading material carefully. If we feed our minds garbage, we will develop dirty minds. Just as our bodies thrive on healthy food, our minds will thrive on up-lifting, inspirational material. Also, a report on something you find offensive or upsetting will not be relaxing. Think about things you enjoy and find pleasant, and choose your reading accordingly. Perhaps reading about and learning a new hobby would make interesting reading as well as a means to a new relaxing recreation.

~Lois