Read your way to better health!
With the National Year of Reading in Wales in full flow, perhaps one of the lesser-known benefits of reading is the huge role it plays in improving individuals’ health and well-being. Delving between the pages of a good book can provide a form of relaxation and escapism and help individuals manage stress and anxiety levels, which is in turn similar to taking exercise.
Everybody already knows the benefits of reading to improve language skills, especially vocabulary and improving spelling, and this year it is being aided by the National Year of Reading in Wales which is coordinated by the Welsh Books Council. However, reading is also important to your health, as taking your mind off your own worries and woes with a good book even for a few minutes can have a therapeutic and long-lasting effect.
Reading is so effective in tackling health problems, in particular mental illness, that in the UK there have been many NHS partnerships with organisations such as libraries to reach patients. Wales led the way by launching the Book Prescription Wales scheme in 2005 after it was successfully introduced in Cardiff. The scheme was then emulated in many areas across the UK. So called ‘bibliotherapists’ work with health professionals who ‘prescribe’ high quality self-help books which offer similar treatments to those that patients would receive in counselling.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said: "Reading can be helpful in understanding all sorts of health problems, giving people information and tips on how to help manage their illness better."
"For example, in the field of mental illness, if you have problems then there are books on all types of issues from depression and anxiety to anger management that can be obtained to give advice and support. In Wales a range that has been recommended by experts in their field can even be prescribed by your GP and borrowed free from the local library."
All types of books can help people relax, including novels, non-fiction and biographies as well as self-help, self-improvement, health, motivational and educational books.
So as the nights are drawing in and the summer comes to an end, now is an excellent time to curl up with a good book and immerse yourself in a different world away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Remember: finding effective ways to relieve stress in your life is one of the elements that is key to keeping healthy and living a long life.
The National Year of Reading in Wales brings together people from all across Wales to share the joy of reading. A wide range of activities has already taken place as part of the Year, ranging from locally arranged reading groups through to the Give a Book Week and Reading Communities initiatives.
