Hello Reader,
When stress levels rise our concentration levels fall. We start to feel easily bored and frustrated and end up watching TV or scrolling through social media.
What we should be doing is reading a book.
A study was done where they measured students in a couple of health science programs for stress levels and had them doing yoga, reading, and seeking humour. Then they tracked their stress levels including blood pressure and heart rate.
It turns out that those three things were great at helping manage stress levels. Here’s the research if you want it.
It’s interesting that they didn’t just rely on yoga, which is often put forward as one of the best ways to deal with stress. Don’t get me wrong, I do like a bit of yoga to help me get into my body and out of my head, but I am totally in agreement about the importance of reading.
When you read a book you put yourself in other worlds, new situations, and meet new people. Your mind is imagining things and that pulls you out of the chaos that exists in the real world.
You are also practicing a totally different kind of brain activity. When you read, whole chunks of brain are activated. It’s pretty fun.
So, with things becoming increasingly stressful, here’s a way to cope. Read. Put your phone down. Pick up a book. Take yourself away from the trouble in the world for a while. It will still be there when you come back to it.
And even if you struggle to concentrate, keep trying. Put on some soothing music to distract from the barking dog next door. Shut the door and put yourself in a distraction free room and just keep at it. With practice you will be able to do it again.
And audiobooks are absolutely an option if you prefer to listen while doing something with your hands.
I hope you have a most beautiful Sunday and don’t forget to check out our awesome new reviews below
Sheena
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