I read everyday but most of it many here would consider junk reading. Mysteries, beach books, spy thrillers, etc but reading is reading. During the early days of the pandemic I, and many others, found it difficult to read a book, to concentrate, to follow a story. It would be interesting to know why.

And poetry? Poetry goes right over my head and always has done so.

This is very interesting, something that I have not heard before. The benefits of reading seem to be widely known, but the effect on mental health is good news, especially now, when it is very much needed. Thank you for sharing this!

It does not seem like rocket science to me. We live in a world of me me me and it has caused waaay too much mental health challenges. We tell people to do mindful meditation nad what that is is a trip into yourself, being your own council, me me me again. It's a great trip to depression land!! Back in the day we read, we prayed we did our best to get our selfish selves focused on OTHER. That is the secret to good mental health. NOT focusing on me me me. Reading does this. It keeps our mind occupied and takes us places so we can see how other's live!!

"We tell people to do mindful meditation nad [sic] what that is is a trip into yourself, being your own council, me me me again. It's a great trip to depression land!!"

That is not correct. "Mounting research points to the promise of mindfulness—paying attention to your present thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judging them—in helping people alleviate depression. Studies have suggested that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication in preventing depression relapse among adults with a history of recurrent depression, and in reducing depressive symptoms among those with active depression." (emphasis mine) Source

Best part of mindful meditation is that the only side effects are positive. You might want to learn more about what it is and what it does, before you make assumptions and declarations about it.

See here for other benefits of meditation.

Thanks for posting this, salonva. Interesting in that they find the mental workout of reading language that is unfamiliar such as you find with 19th century novelists as especially helpful, or the analytic part of the brain that is triggered when trying to decipher complex poetry. It reminds me of when I was just starting my working life and took an advanced calculus class at night (I enjoy math) that did wonders for my mood as well....may be something about exercising the left brain that quells the overreaction of the right brain. I wonder if there are the same anti-depressive effects from doing puzzles...

Reading also provides opportunities to walk around inside someone else's head for awhile, to find new ways of thinking about something, new perspectives, or sharing inner experiences with others to find out you are not alone. (...why I think it is so important for children to have access to books that talk about being gay, etc. as a way to reduce the extraordinarily high rates of suicide and attempted suicide among LGBTQ.) Reading can be like a support group that meets whenever you need it simply by picking up a book. And books are infinitely patient...you can go back and reread whatever you want as often as you want.

There's no doubt of the mind/body connection of which reading is only a reinforcing example...your body reacts to the terror or excitement you're reading about, even though in reality you are sitting in a comfy chair with nothing bad actually happening. This is just more confirmation of the power of that connection.

Thanks, salonva. These are excellent articles. Reading has been a part of my existence for as long as I can remember, and books have caused me to grow in ways I cannot even begin to put into words (which seems a bit ironic).

Mindfulness and meditation help countless people to be better people. It's silly that some are so fearful of practices they've never tried and don't understand, to the degree of disrespecting that which brings peace and enlightenment to others.

I got married in a library for I had long ago left behind an oppressive church. Books are my prophets and a library my church. ”A room without a book is like a body without a soul“

Mindfulness has also served to better my life far more than my catholic upbringing had.

Married in a library? Really? How wonderful! Will you tell us more about that?

To tell someone who is going through depression (or any other mental illness or emotional distress) that it's a selfish me,me,me situation and to get over yourself is doing a disservice to all those who are suffering. Depression is not a me,me,me - it is an illness like any other and often requires professional help, and understanding of family and friends. Reading is just one tool in the tool box as is meditation, mindfulness, exercise and often times drugs.

Typical though: One who claims that God and prayer will provide all that is needed completely fails to show empathy and compassion to the suffering, instead conveying that mental distress is a deserved result of not believing appropriately. This is precisely why countless have walked away from the church and its horribly misguided people. I have no need of that kind of toxicity and have no qualms about speaking out against it.

ETA: This is not to say that all churches and church-goers are toxic. Certainly not! But there has been such a marked turning away from the teachings of Jesus, particularly in recent times, as to make anyone extremely skeptical about where one chooses to associate. That's not only shameful, I believe there are many who will answer for their part in it someday (whether karmic or otherwise).

FWIW, I think prayer and the community and the structure of a church can be very helpful for some but to finger-wag at those who it doesn't help for not trying hard enough is nauseating.

Love that! Married in a library! Wish I'd thought of that!

Wow. That is a beautiful building and your seating chart idea is so imaginative and appropriate.

Roarah, that is a stunningly beautiful and very warm-looking venue! I love how you used it to make your special day most memorable. I'll bet your guests loved being in such a gorgeous setting to celebrate you and your spouse!

Roarah, what a gorgeous setting for a wedding!

That's an incredible setting! Thank you for sharing that. (if you don't mind- where is this? it's ok if you'd prefer not to answer)

I have always been a reader, and it's funny that my kids (lol my baby is 37) tell me that they remember me always sitting or lying on the couch and reading. Often when I couldn't concentrate on books, it was magazines. I would say for the past 20 years or so I have become an avid reader. I will read all sorts, even what is maybe considered a bit on the junk side , but I like a variety .

What I find lately especially since I've been retired, is that if I start my day with reading a book (kindle is my preferred), I have a sense of accomplishment in addition to feeling calm. I feel that it's a constructive activity. I spend LOT of time on the computer here and browsing all sorts of sites and emailing of course. I don't consider it a waste, but I don't consider it a constructive use of time.

I've tried, at different times, to do meditaion or mindfulness, and I did find it soothing but I just can't seem to relax or get out of my head enough. I know it's very valid . I recall my mother doing TM for probably 10 or so years, and it was incredible how much it helped her.

I was really impressed to read the articles, and I am so glad that it resonated as well with so many of you.

The library is in Branford, CT

Sorry to veer off topic again but for those of us who love to read and visit libraries this FB site is a great reference. https://m.facebook.com/100067581890160/

Salonva, thanks for the article. Very interesting including the statistics alongnwith it. I’ve read books forever although like Blfenton, i had a bit of trouble concentrating on a book when we all were first quarantined. I think several of us had that happen iirc.

Y’all should know by now Arcy is ’hit and run’ with her comments so don’t expect a response.

Yeah, we know Outside ... that doesn't mean she gets the last word though. I'd hate for someone who is a newbie to this place to read her words and think that most others here share her viewpoint.

I have always been a reader, but usually only read my book at bedtime. I am slowly trying to get in the habit of also reading during the day. DH reads for hours every day. HOURS. (He is retired.)

I do start every day with the NYT crossword, mini, and wordle — with my coffee. It’s my version of a daily meditation.

Sueb - I start my day the same way - coffee while doing Spot the Difference, 7 little words, mini-crossword, and wordle.

OT - this will be selfishly OT but despite being an immature reading I do love reading books about libraries, bookstore and books in general. I like reading them because libraries and bookstores become a community for readers. They show how important books and places of books are to the community and the relationships that develope. The ones I remember reading and enjoying are

The Library Book by Susan Orleans

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs

The Personal Librarian by Benedict and Murray

Shadow of the Wind by Caros Ruiz Zafron

The Paris Librarian by Janet Charles

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

There are probably more but those are the ones that came quickly to mind. If anyone wants to suggest others I would love to hear about them. (that's where the selfishly comes in).

I miss having university libraries to go to for books. The only downside to libraries is that I often have nightmares about having forgotten to return books - not something that happened to me in real life.

I took 27 literature classes when I was getting my B.A. in German/English, and I learned French and Italian so that I could read books and magazines in those languages.

Today I read a lot of anthropology books (which can get expensive), and they help me get to sleep at night, if I have insomnia, which is fairly rare. I know that I sleep better if I read just before going to sleep, but it does depend on what I read. Reading about the ancient past is very relaxing for me and gets my mind off of whatever may be troubling me.

My first job after graduating from university was at the UT Austin Main Library, and that was to help catalog a Slavic literature collection that had been donated to the library. I got that job because I could read the title pages and translate (or transliterate, as needed) them for cataloging. I did wonder if anyone was ever going to check out some of those books, however.

Lars, you are such an impressive guy!