There’s something extra sweet about sunshine and summer time – a chance to pause, rest, reconnect, play, restore. One of my personal favorite ways to enjoy summer is by reading.
Whether you prefer library books, printed copies, magazines, audiobooks, being read to, or e-readers, books have magical power that can boost your mental health in various ways.
- Mindfulness – For me personally, reading brings mindfulness. It quiets the to-do list and pushes out distractions so that I stay focused and centered on one thing: the plot or message being conveyed.
- Belonging – Books have the power to help us realize we are, in fact, similar to others. When that character goes through a similar situation, or the ending shocks you just like life can at times, there’s freedom once you realize that you are not alone in what you’re facing or feeling.
- Stress relief – When life gets overwhelming, reading reminds us to relax and allows us to escape to other worlds. Reading even has the power to impact our overall health. One CNN Health News article states that “The activity reduces stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms while supporting better sleep. The habit has even been linked to increased longevity — a 2017 study showed more time spent reading is associated with lower mortality rates.”
- Cognitive Stimulation – Reading ignites brain function via memory, focus, and much more. One National University article found that we should “Think of reading as a workout for your brain that literally changes your mind. According to the American Academy of Neurology, the brain-stimulating activities from reading have been shown to slow down cognitive decline in old age with people who participated in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetimes. It also has shown a slower rate of decline in memory and other mental capacities.”
- Empathy – Whether you like fiction or nonfiction, reading allows us to witness others’ emotions, explore how they handle those emotions, and build empathy for characters and situations.
- Social Connection – If you’ve never been a part of a book club, I highly suggest you venture into this lovely experience. Relationships fleurish, bonds forms, and conversation adds to the overall reading experience.
Not sure where to start? Psychology Today suggests that “if you’re starting summer reading for mental health, choose books that resonate with your current mood—whether that’s a comforting novel, a thought-provoking memoir, or a self-help guide. Reading with others (book clubs, shared stories) can also deepen the benefits by fostering connection.
Here are a few mental health literature recommendations. Happy reading!
- Phoenix Girl, A Memoir by Michelle Yang – With unflinching honesty, Phoenix Girl explores Michelle’s struggle with Asian American identity, body image, mental health, and her eventual diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
- Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan – A gripping account of a 24-year-old journalist’s psychotic breakdown, her search for answers, and her fight to reclaim her life.
- While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger – A journalist’s memoir about her family’s hidden battles with mental illness and suicide, exploring the stigma and systemic failures in mental healthcare.