Reading and Mental Health, how could the two possibly be put into the same article? Easy, books Improve and sustain our minds, elevating and stimulating our lives, here’s how.

Empathy

There is something to be said about a book without pictures, the transgression from brightly coloured and mystical children’s books to the boring, mundane pages of classroom books is often an unwelcome one.

Thus, by the time you reach the last page of Lord of the flies, or the Great Gatsby, the bright, vivid and real scenes playing in your head as you turn each page and read each line, you are bound to be hooked. The scenes might be so real that you cry, or screech with excitement or laugh out loud. Reading books will teach one a sense of empathy that should be encouraged in children and carried with you all your life.

Coping

When you are at the bottom of that well, that pit of dread and despair, you often don’t know which way to turn, pick up a book and turn the pages. Get lost in the ink of each perfectly formed letter, creatively placed together to entertain you.

Being at the side of the characters as they work through their challenges, will bring new light to the challenges you are facing. Playing something repeatedly in your head, obsessing over it, makes it seem a thousand and fifty-three times worse than what it is. So rather get lost in a fantasy world, forget about problems for a while. You are guaranteed to feel better, if not find a solution to the obstacle in your life. Keep your mind busy by turning the page.

Social Life

People who suffer from depression often feel lonely, as if there is no one to talk to. Even if there was, they don’t feel that anyone would want to hear what they have to say. Being well-read will improve your social skills.

Books are a great topic of conversation, whether you have read more books than you can count or if you have only read one book that you enjoyed, it’s something to talk about. It will improve your language skills too, again making you more appealing to hang around. People are naturally drawn to those who can hold intelligent conversations, books help you do this. Besides, if that doesn’t work, you are sure to feel better surrounded by the characters in your book.

Brain Exercising

Giving your brain a work out will have its advantages in the future. It has been shown that active readers have less signs of dementia in their old age. Let your imagination run free. Try concentrating on how to pronounce a word you don’t recognise. Research the meaning and try to use it in your everyday life, it has benefits. Reading has also been shown to improve your memory, so it’s a bonus all round.