Gradually I have started to like reading books. In general I have enjoyed reading books since my childhood but no where close to a voracious reader or someone who just genuinely loves reading book and tries to find time to read everyday even when they are busy.
Anyway usually when I have some sort of anxiety, annoyance about something or even mild physical pain I watch movies/tv shows and they work as a good distraction for me.
Recently there was an instance where I had a bit of anxiety about something and then this other instance where I had a mild headache and both the times instead of watching something I decided to pick a nice book that I have been reading and enjoying for the past few days ufortunately they were not able to distract me.
I realised that in times of stress and anxiety watching something definitely helps me to distract myself but choosing a book to read, even the ones that I’m enjoying, doesn’t really work that well. It’s like even the book that I’m enjoying I can only enjoy when I’m in a very relaxed mood.
This makes me wonder what about those avid book readers. Would they be able distract themselves reading a book when they are going through a stressful time(mild headache or anxiety) and if so, is it something that I can develop as well as I build the habit of reading more and more?
No( that doesn’t work for me, if I’m any of those things I will be thinking about them and reading super slowly
Man I wish I could I can’t even watch TV during those times
yeppuh. the only situation where i dont read is if i have a headache cos i can’t completely concentrate so i’ll sleep first. i love reading because it helps immerse me into the book’s world ❤️❤️
It can definitely happen, but it’s not always the case. I had years when I was deeply depressed, but read little to nothing. Reading does reduce/help me control my anxiety (I developed fear of flying and reading a physical book or listening to an audiobook helps a lot), but I still have anxiety filled times when I can’t even touch a book.
Wait how did you develop fear of reading a physical book? What exactly makes you fearful about that?
I don’t have a fear of books. I have a fear of flying.
Reading helps quite the noise in my brain and so does a podcast or an audiobook, my brain just wont shut up most of the time so these things really help.
I reread favorites for self-comfort.
That’s what books used to be for me. I’m not sure what changed. I think my friends all played games, and growing up caused distance, so online games became the best way to spend time together, so now I turn to games.
I miss books. I think I might try to pick one up at home if I remember.
honestly sometimes my eyes are just strained from staring at screens all day. in this case im staring at another screen, but its e-ink so my eyes get to relax a bit.
to battle all of those, I tend to set myself to regular schedule of reading one hour, first thing in the morning before I touch my phone. It helps wake my brain up and realize what’s important over what’s nonsense.
if I don’t follow this, I find myself very cynical towards everything throughout the day
it’s a daily struggle
I have comfort reads, which are books I’ve read and loved that I return to when life is argh and my brain’s a ball of anxiety. I re-read a LOT in 2020.
Im the opposite. I’ve struggled awhile with depression and anxiety that makes it hard for me to finish anything… housework, books, shows. Started seeing a therapist awhile back and it’s helped a lot with regaining my interests. My to-read and to-watch list has gotten so long now. I will finish at least 14 books this year. The last couple years, I was lucky if I finished 5!
I like audiobooks when I am anxious or upset. They are a good distraction that doesn’t require too much active focus
Audiobooks are better for headaches because staring at screens or print can lead to eyestrain. But for anxiety, nothing beats a book for me. I can just get immersed in someone else’s world and forget my problems for a while. I feel really fortunate to have this coping strategy.
Unfortunately I stop reading when I’m anxious or depressed. 🥺
Yup. Same here.
There’s some kind of magical ratio of anxiety/pain/etc to book immersion that creates lightning in a bottle for me. I’m always chasing that next read where the world sort of disappears when I’m so engrossed in a story, but it’s rare! I can love a book, rate it 5 stars, but it rarely has that true captivating quality. It’s when that hits, that I can use it to escape some anxiety or illness.
Ahh yes. I guess I’m yet to find a book that can do that for maybe.
Maybe there was only one time I really liked reading a book that helped me during the time when I was sort of depressed for months.
What kinda book in the past have helped you to really escape anxiety or illness?
Random fantasy books worked when I was younger, but lately the closest I’ve gotten to that magical escape reading has been with the Feed series, If We Were Villains and Station Eleven. Maybe my older brain just struggles more with outside distractions, but these have come very close to quieting that extra noise.