By: Johanne Mendoza
I love reading for pleasure because it eases my mind and helps me de-stress from school. Reading can be used as a therapeutic device in an approach called bibliotherapy.
In an April 2023 article in the magazine Psyche, lifelong educator Peter Leyland wrote about how reading served as a form of therapy during challenging times in his own life, such as coping with “burnout” or adjusting to hearing loss. Leyland found that bibliotherapy offers immense benefits for people’s mental and emotional health, since it can provide mental stimulation and even companionship.
Packed with interesting examples from a 10-hour course that Leyland taught on bibliotherapy, his article offers a blueprint on how reading can enhance our lives. He discusses memoirs, the significance of poetry and the selection of books for various emotional conditions.
In a 2021 online article, Thinkerspool Book Club author Abimbola F. Abatta explores the therapeutic aspects of both writing and reading in her article “Reading Is Therapeutic: How to Heal Yourself with Books.” In addition to highlighting how reading can provide comfort and healing, she shares personal experiences of using writing as therapy and witnessing the transformative impact of reading on others. Abatta also explains how literature can be used in bibliotherapy to address emotional and mental health issues. By incorporating reading into daily life, we can gain important insights, especially during challenging times.
Overall, both articles recommend bibliotherapy immensely valuable in promoting mental and emotional well-being. By sharing personal stories and engaging with the narratives of others, individuals can tap into the profound power of literature. Bibliotherapy not only cultivates empathy but also offers valuable perspectives and avenues for escapism. As a result, it becomes a supporting factor to help transform many people’s lives, offering insight and inspiration. Encouraging readers to prioritize reading, even if it’s just for a few minutes daily, underscores the therapeutic potential of books. All in all, bibliotherapy is powerful for nurturing mental and emotional health and fostering personal growth.
Leyland, P. (2023). Reading books is not just a pleasure: It helps our minds to heal: Psyche ideas. Psyche. https://psyche.co/ideas/reading-books-is-not-just-a-pleasure-it-helps-our-minds-to-heal
Thinkerspool Book Club. (2021). Reading is therapeutic: How to heal yourself with books. Medium.
