Senior to Senior: Reading as Therapy

If you are a big-time reader you’ve probably never thought of reading as therapy. It’s a welcome thought though, and it gets you off the hook for all those trips to the bookstore. On the other hand, if you don’t like to read you probably think that reading is an exercise in futility; painful, boring, or just plain too much work. When faced with life’s challenges, readers and non-readers alike often turn to books for inspiration and solutions. Self-help books leap off the shelves, but it isn’t the content that does the trick, it is the sheer act of reading. People read non-fiction and self-help books to expand their reading knowledge but reading fiction, just for the fun of it, is different. Psychological studies show that reading, especially fiction, is a good way to calm your mind and lift your spirits. A few minutes of reading is equal to, or better than, exercising or listening to music when you need to de-stress. Exercise is always good, and listening to music is lovely, but wouldn’t you rather curl up with a good book? Reading is relaxing, but while you are relaxing your brain continues to work. This is a good thing, especially for seniors. You’ll be pleased to know that reading can help slow the cognitive decline associated with ageing. If you don’t know how to read; learn. If you don’t like to read; give it another chance. A good book is like a good friend. You will never feel lonely if you have a stack of books on your nightstand. If you feel that reading fiction is a luxury you cannot afford right now, think again. Research really does suggest that 30 minutes of reading can ease your pain. Don’t relax too much though. You want to read, not doze off after the first chapter. Listening to an audio book is good too, but do it while walking or working around the house or it will put you to sleep. Read something new or reread something old. Find a quiet place, pour yourself a cup of tea, and escape into another world.