Stress & Reading

We all have very different ideas and definitions of stress and there isn’t a single unifying definition in the literature. In Eastern philosophies, stress is considered the absence of inner peace; in Western culture, it is considered the loss of control. Stress is problematic because it is ambiguous. Stress definitions differ, and stressors vary, affecting people’s minds and bodies differently. Let’s blend eastern philosophy and western culture and say that stress is feeling out of control instead of inner peace.

There are three steps: perceiving a threat (appraisal), coping with it, and adapting to it. In the stress community, we talk a lot about stress being a relationship between persons’ perceptions, needs, and abilities and the conditions of the environment. How we perceive control over our environment causes stress because perception is everything. We live in a world where we perceive we have control over our lives. Society makes living convenient for most of us so we think we are in control and that we can control the results of our efforts. It is no coincidence that the most stressed-out people are the most controlling. Stress results from trying to control anything outside of our efforts.

One way to change our perception is through reading. Everything you read fills your head with new information. The more knowledge you have and apply, the better-equipped you are to tackle any new challenges. Humans know relatively little about the environment we live in. And the distorted version of what we are taught in school is either biased or offers only one point of view with academic credibility. Therefore, it is really our obligation to educate ourselves, and read.?Books challenge our beliefs and expose us to a variety of viewpoints, which helps us better understand ourselves.

?Did you know that Reading can reduce stress by around 68%?

Reading enhances memory and empathy in addition to making us feel better and more optimistic, according to research. Reading can aid with sadness, reduce stress, and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life, according to scientific research. Clarity is gained by reading, which also makes you more articulate and well-spoken. It gives you a huge boost in self-confidence and will enable any professional to communicate with anyone with more assurance.

Reading a good book can bring about immense inner peace, relaxation, and tranquility. Reading spiritual texts can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm and reading self-help books has been shown to help people suffering from certain mood disorders and mild mental illnesses.?

Takeaway

Active Visualization Exercise:?Think of yourself as a car. This is the first time leaving the house today, but you must run some errands. Let’s say you live someplace cold. Would you jump into your car and pull directly off??Your brain is the car of your body, and it must be warmed up to function efficiently.

How to:?Beginners:?Start the morning reading a quote, affirmation, or passage of your choice. Then, add reading before bed.?Intermediate:?Start with one book a month. Join a book club. Read a book with family and friends.?Advanced:?You should spend the first hour of the day waking up your mind. Read at least 20 pages or 30 mins in the morning before you start your day. Investing in yourself first initiates the pace of the day. In a year, you should read at least one book a week, which is 52 a year.?

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