During my poetry classes, I often tell my students that writing is therapeutic. Writers tend to pour out their thoughts as a form of therapy. Whenever I am sad, moody, or depressed, for instance, I pen my thoughts. And over the years, I have discovered how curative this can be.
In the same vein, reading can be therapeutic. It offers an escape route from one’s present situation. It reveals that one is not alone. When you see the miracles that happen in the lives of the characters you read about, it assures you that miracles are possible for you too.
I have seen readers who found hope, optimism, faith, and confidence after reading my motivational articles. Some would message me, noting how inspired they were having connected to my written message.
Reading can have a positive effect on your mind. It opens your mind and consciousness to the different possibilities that exist in this realm.
I recently stumbled upon a concept I never knew existed, which is “Bibliotherapy.”
Simply put, Bibliotherapy is the use of literature to help people cope with emotional problems, mental illness, relationship issues among others. It is the act of using books to gain insight into problems and seek healing or solutions to such problems.
Sam Gladding, Ph.D., who specialises in creativity in counselling, describes bibliotherapy as a dynamic three-way interaction involving the use of a book, a counsellor, and a client.
He noted that “Bibliotherapy may be especially relevant for issues that involve interpersonal relationships, such as managing anger or socially appropriate behaviour and intrapersonal relationships, such as shyness or depression. Issues regarding how to handle grief, rejection, or almost any of the negative ‘isms’ such as racism, sexism, ageism, may also be addressed through bibliotherapy.” Culled
When life’s weight seems on your shoulders…
Without a doubt, the world is at a point where people’s mental health is in a precarious state. Diverse elements ranging from insecurity, poverty, economic instability, etc. continually threaten our mental health.
Considering the many familial obligations and societal expectations, one may feel as if life’s weight is on one’s shoulders. You may even have little or no time to spare for reading. But as often as you can, squeeze a few minutes out of your time to read. It will ease some of your stress and burdens.
Even if you can’t pay for counselling sessions, you can get books to fill that gap. As little as five minutes devoted to reading can make a lot of difference in your life. You won’t experience the healing power of books until you take a step towards reading.
Before my pen takes a nap, meditate on this quote by Charles William Eliot: “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.”
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Abimbola F. Abatta will forever be grateful to the school of life. Life has taught her so many lessons through her everyday experiences. She writes, teaches, edits, proofreads, and inspires. As a lifetime scholar, she is devoted to learning from life’s experiences and sharing the lessons with the world. She is passionate about inscribing impact, influence, and inspiration through words. You can follow her on Facebook
