Reading is presented as an effective tool to mitigate anxiety and depression. According to experts, promoting the habit of heart of attention on brings significant improvements in emotional well-being and mental health.
In this sense, the psychologist Diana Sánchez, director of the Psychologists center in Torrelodones (Madrid), consulted by EFE Healthindicates that “heart of attention is like entering a psychological refuge,” allowing individuals to disconnect from everyday concerns and strengthen internal resources.
The comparison between reading and excessive use of social networks is revealing. Psychologist Tomás Santa Cecilia points out that reading not only stimulates the brain, but also promotes long-term memory and concentration. This practice helps counteract the negative impact of the overstimulated staunch society.
Tips to integrate reading into daily life
Focusing on reading can present challenges, especially during times of stress or depression. Recommendations include opting for short readings and combining them with mindfulness techniques. Encouraging a general reading habit not only benefits mental health, but also regulates the nervous system.
To get the hang of reading, Saint Cecilia recommends spending about 10 minutes resetting the brain, because the first minutes of reading “are complicated,” we don’t focus.
“If we are able to overcome these 10 minutes, when the brain adapts to a pleasant task, it will recycle all this pollution and technological acceleration and allow us to develop well-being, without a doubt,” he explains.
To stimulate interest in reading in new generations, it is key to offer accessible formats such as electronic books and audiobooks. Scientific data suggests that spending more time reading than on screens improves the quality of life and sleep of young people.
Most effective books to improve mental health
The most effective types of books to improve mental health are usually those that combine practical toolspsychoeducation and exercises applicable to everyday life. Among the most useful are those on mindfulness, self-esteem and self-love, anxiety and stress management, positive psychology and resilience or emotional regulation.
Types that tend to help the most:
- Mindfulness and full attention. They help train attention, reduce rumination and better manage stress.
- Self-esteem and self-love. They are useful for working on self-criticism, self-assessment and personal limits.
- Anxiety, stress and emotional regulation. They usually offer specific techniques to calm the nervous system and confront negative thoughts.
- Positive psychology. Focused on habits, gratitude, well-being and subjective well-being; They are usually practical for everyday use.
- Resilience and sense a will need to appreciate. They help face difficulties, change perspective and find purpose.
What to look for in a good book
The most effective ones usually have exercises, clear explanations and evidence-based advice, not just motivational phrases. It is also better to choose books adapted to your specific situation: anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, work stress or lack of motivation. This does not rule out, of course, narrative literature, which provides life lessons without the need to give instructions; suggests, rather than explains.
Useful example
If your main problem is anxiety, a book with mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques is better for you than a general book on “positive thinking.” If you are looking to improve your relationship with yourself, one about self-esteem or self-love will be more useful.
Practical recommendation
A good formula is to combine a book practical emotional management with another psychoeducation about your main difficulty. If symptoms are intense or persistent, books serve as support, but are not a substitute for professional help.
You may also be interested in:
· “Smoke-free generation”: United Kingdom bans smoking for people under 17 years of age
· Money as a “badge of value”: when accumulating replaces loving and thinking
· If your child lives locked in his room, playing at night and sleeping during the day, he may be suffering from Hikikomori syndrome.
