How do you incorporate books into self care ?
How do you incorporate books into self care ?
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I don’t make myself read certain books. Maybe they’re popular but I know it will be upsetting for me. I don’t go there. And I let myself read fluff when I want to.
For me, reading about people going through similar struggles really helps me. I know that’s not for everyone because it can be triggering, but like listening to sad songs when I’m sad, I find it therapeutic.
I haven’t read a book in over a year now. As someone who used to read ten to twenty a month, I know this has been detrimental. From next month on, I plan on buying myself one book a month to indulge in (I can’t afford more than that and I never buy books to simply sit and look pretty). Reading in general is therapy for me.
As a person who is a huge fan of the frilly bubble bath and enough candles to light a prayer corner for my self-care, I’ve recently added audiobooks into the mix. My recent favorite was The Interview With the Vampire, but wine was also a factor too lol. While taking walks, I love listening to Six of Crows because of the multiple narrators and action thrown in makes it less stressful and lets me enjoy walking again. Instead of the constant droning of the radio station during traffic, a few books have also saved my sanity. Sometimes it’s hard to just stop what we’re doing in our daily lives just to read, but if there’s a specific book, you could set an alarm that says “breathe, read for 20 minutes” or something like that.
I have a list of books that I feel are “cozy,” usually books I’ve read over and over again and never stop loving the characters or the stories. I save these for when I need to read something familiar and comforting, usually paired with lots of blankets and some hot chocolate
….can I have a copy of this list?
@Angela sure! I can’t get to my bookshelves right now, but the go-to’s that come to mind immediately are: Inkheart or Dragon Rider, both by Cornelia Funke; anything by Rainbow Rowell but especially Fangirl; Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (be warned, this one might make you cry); Harry Potter; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Mosquitoland by David Arnold; and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Basically anything that I’ve read over and over again and that makes me feel like I’ve come back to a familiar world
Yesss thanks I’m saving this!
@Angela no problem! If I get home and find more I’ll add to the list
I found this weird to answer. But reading is always my go to thing when life isn’t going well. Plus I try to read at least once a day.
Why was it weird to answer if you don’t mind me asking? I hope it wasn’t too personal of a question.
it was just a question I’ve never really thought about and it really made me think
@Katy Oh, ok. I just wanted to be sure. 🙂
I make my husband watch the kids and take one into a long bath with me… Also I like audio books so I can do anything I need to while still listening I feel like it relaxes me and makes that time closer to me time
I take my book to a local coffee/chocolate shop, turn off my phone for an hour, and read. It’s a nice way to take an hour off from the world while having some awesome me-time.
This is probably redundant but I always choose positive uplifting books when I’m practicing self care. Jenny Lawson is perfect for this. I’ll read a chapter or whatever feels right before I dive into a true crime or something else. It puts me in a good headspace. Anything that has a message of “it’s okay to not be okay just keep trying” does the trick since I tend to be hard on myself and go go go until I break down. Other times if I’m just not feeling good and my brain needs a break I’ll pick up a fiction book that’s essentially “fluff” so I can get lost for a while.
I struggle with being overwhelmed by too much noise/ movement around me (triggers panic attacks) so I’ve found that reading on my lunch breaks at work with noise cancelling earphones in really helps ground me on busy days. Also, I’ve just started listening to audio books and they are a GODSEND.
I realized recently that when I’m going through really bad times, I’m usually not reading at all. It’s not easy to tell which is the cause and which the effect, but I’m trying more to prioritize reading. It brings me joy and I get a sense of accomplishment with every book I finish. It’s a way to spend my day where I get something valuable back, instead of just scrolling through endless social media posts as I have a tendency. I’m not sure if it exactly answers the question. I incorporate reading into my self care by making it my self care.
I can relate to this a lot. Thank you for sharing.
I read every night before bed it is an absolute must, if I can’t read I’ll listen to an audiobook