Look after yourself this Stress Awareness Month
Balancing study, work or volunteering, possibly placements, and life in general can get a bit much for anyone. That is why it is so very important to take deliberate steps to stay well and release the stress that can otherwise accumulate in the body. Exercise, good diet and drinking plenty of water are all important, as is getting enough regular sleep.
One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to establish a regular bedtime routine. Switching off screens, stretching, having a warm bath, and reading for pleasure for a few minutes are all excellent ways to wind down, release tension and let go of the concerns of the day.
Reading is surprisingly good for you
Reading for pleasure is good for you! Reading for pleasure for just 30 minutes a week is associated with increased life satisfaction, self-esteem, better sleep, creativity and happiness, perhaps because it reminds us of our common humanity and reconnects us everything we are.
Losing yourself in a book for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by two-thirds as you are taken away from your habitual thoughts and your body relaxes. Reading for pleasure for just 30 minutes a week is associated with increased life satisfaction, self-esteem, better sleep, creativity and happiness, perhaps because it reminds us of our common humanity and reconnects us everything we are. Reading even broadens your vocabulary, allows you to empathise with characters unlike yourself, and gives you more interesting things to talk about, helping you become more sociable.
Looking for something fun to read?
We have some classical literature in the 810-820s (and foreign language literature in the other 830s-890s) but you will probably find more books that take your fancy in our Quick Choice collection in the relaxation corner near the Library Café. Better still, the public library offers a huge selection of print, electronic and audio books for your reading and listening pleasure. Drift off to the sounds of almost anything you can imagine, entirely free of charge, courtesy of your public library.
Assistant Librarian (Promotions) at the University Library. An enthusiastic advocate of libraries, diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice for all, inside and outside the workplace.
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