Can you believe we’re in September already?
It’s “back to school” season – I often find that even people who don’t have children heading back to school or university this month still feel that “fresh start” feeling as the season begins to change.
For this week’s Mental Sunshine, I want to make what might seem like a bold suggestion.
This week I want you to try reading a book.
There’s been much hand wringing in the media lately about a decline in reading,
And 2026 was designated as the National Year of Reading to try and improve this.
Did you know that reading for just 6 minutes can lower your heart rate, ease muscle tension and reduce stress by up to 68%?
Reading is one of the few activities we can do where it’s hard to do something else.
When we watch TV, we can also scroll social media.
And some of us even manage to eat biscuits at the same time!
Multitasking!
You can’t read and scroll at the same time!
You can eat biscuits at the same time as reading, but it’s often not as compulsive as when watching TV.
Watching TV is a passive activity, whereas with reading you have to be more actively engaged in what you’re doing.
So there’s not a little part of your brain thinking, I wonder if there are any snacks in the cupboard…
There’s also a brilliant fact that people who read fiction have more empathy
Which is a great way of ensuring the world is a nicer place to live!
When we read fiction, it allows us to see things from other people’s perspectives and to vicariously experience situations we might otherwise never be in.
If the idea of picking up an enormous novel fills you with dread, start small.
Head to your local library and borrow a thin novel to get you going!
In fact, why not treat yourself to a trip to the library followed by a coffee in a local independent while you read your new book.
An excellent way to bring some mental sunshine into your life!
Let me know if you find a brilliant book you can’t put down!