Reading as a stress buster... Article by Advait P, Class 10C

 

With the onset of Covid-outbreak, many countries, starting with China, imposed lockdowns and strict social distancing rules. Social distancing, is indeed, the best thing we can do right now to decrease the risk of spreading the virus in our communities. But social distancing and self-isolation can be really stressful. Over time, a person may begin to experience several “symptoms” of stress. Persons who are under stress commonly feel impatient, prone to anger, body aches and pains, fatigue, insomnia, worrying and overthinking, inability to focus etc.

Internally, the condition affects metabolic functioning, increases the risk for diabetes, heart diseases and weakens the immune system, making us more vulnerable to viral infections.
 The Centre for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) says that old people, children, frontline warriors, people with mental disorders may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis such as this.

Even if you don’t fall into one of those categories, being cooped up in your house isn’t always easy. There is one recommendation, that we have, for lowering your stress during this time of uncertainty- Reading.

 Reading is just like a workout for the brain. And just as physical exercise decreases the risk of diabetes and heart disease, regular reading decreases the risk of conditions such as dementia, and improves memory, concentration, and mood. This is especially relevant in these times of Covid.

A study in 2009, conducted by a group of researchers found that just 30 minutes of reading lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of distress significantly.

Be it science fictions, horror fictions, mystery, romance, fantasy, thriller, autobiographies, be it any genre of book, reading can help you cope with your stress.

Let me end with a small quote “A little reading is all the therapy a person needs, sometimes”