I’m sure every one of us has had to deal with school-related stress multiple times in our lives. From having to prepare for exams to doing group work or delivering a presentation.
Everyone deals with stress and anxiety differently. But for us bookworms, reading might just be a way to calm down our nerves when the idea of school seems overwhelming. So, let’s delve into some bookish tips on how to deal with school stress.
The Science of Reading for Stress Relief
It is scientifically proven that reading can reduce stress and anxiety. Not only is it meditative, but it also engages your brain to be creative and actively imagine the story you are reading. So, it is no surprise that sitting down and getting lost in a book can reduce stress by 68%. Reading relaxes the mind and body more quickly than other meditative tasks like listening to music or taking a walk. Studies have shown that as little as six minutes a day can positively impact your mental health. For the best results, aim to read for an hour a day. And it doesn’t even matter what book you read, as long as you enjoy it. All the more reason to try it!
Integrating Reading into a School Routine
It can be difficult to find the time to read for enjoyment. Especially during exam season, when homework seems to be mounting and every free minute is spent worrying about exams. Setting aside a specific time each day to read can help you create a consistent break from school-related tasks and stress. Reading before bed can help relax your mind and body and improve sleep quality. Combine that with a cozy blanket and a nice hot drink, and you will feel the real world melt away. Of course, everyone’s schedule is different. So, how you incorporate reading will depend on your personal preferences. The genre and type of book are completely up to you.
For the best escapism, try books that comfort or distract you. Fantasy novels or light-hearted material are the best ways to transport you into a different world. Alternatively, choose a book with school-themed content that deals with academic challenges. An example would be The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This could be a great way to contextualize school-related anxiety and feel less alone with it.
Books as Motivation
Reading can be used as a reward for tasks that you have completed. If you set yourself a to-do list and reward yourself with a chapter or two after finishing certain tasks, you will be more motivated to stay productive. Additionally, books can help make boring tasks more fun. Reading might not necessarily be something you can do when multitasking, but listening to audiobooks is a great alternative. Household tasks like cleaning and laundry are far less annoying when listening to a narrated version of your favorite book. It might even become something to look forward to. After all, anything is exciting if you can pretend to be a warrior princess while doing it.
Explore Books on Stress-Management
Escaping into a different world isn’t the only way books can help reduce stress. If you want to try something even more proactive, there is an incredible amount of mental health nonfiction out there. From workbooks to journals and self-help books, they all offer practical strategies for dealing with stress. Many of them even focus on stress-management techniques specifically designed for students. An example is Mindfulness for Students by Stella Cottrell. Although these books might not relax you while you are reading them, they will offer concrete advice on combatting anxiety and stress.
Join a Book Club or Reading Group
Reading is generally a solitary activity. But there is nothing better than discussing a book you really love with a friend. Incorporating a weekly book club meeting into your schedule can give you something to look forward to. It is also a great place to make new friends, gush about fictional love interests, and find new books to read. Friendships are incredibly important for good mental health, and reading books is, too. So, meeting up with friends and discussing books can be a great way to provide stress relief and social support.
Everyone is different and will deal with stress differently. But us bookworms have to stick together and these tips prove that books can make everything a little better! Hopefully some of these bookish recommendations will help make the next exam season seem less daunting.
For more powerful recommendations that can help with depression and anxiety, click here.
To check out our Bookshop bookshelf full back-to-school recommendations, click here.
