An article in the Telegraph about how reading reduces stress–even six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two thirds:
And it works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea, research found.
Psychologists believe this is because the human mind has to concentrate on reading and the distraction of being taken into a literary world eases the tensions in muscles and the heart…
The most interesting part of the article, for me, was that the study was commissioned by Galaxy chocolate who are planning a promotional giveaway of one million books. (I happen to really like Galaxy–creamy, silky stuff–though almost impossible to find in this country)
So before you read your 401(k) statement, make sure you have a book handy. Then read, and read, and munch on a bar of chocolate. Remember life is good.
[** edit: and don’t forget you can reduce stress by writing, too **]
Nicola Griffith 
I just had that experience. I’m not really frightened to fly, but take off and landing make me a teensy nervous. So I read during them and hardly noticed. And it wasn’t even that great of a book.
Yes! You had a post not too long ago about writing for stress relief. Now reading…when I wake up in the middle of the night stressed about things over which I have no control, I do one of two things, or both–write to a friend or read a novel.
Life is good indeed.I read at least a little every day now, having realized the huge drop in my stress level and pulse rate. Ohmmm….
<>ssas<>, yes. Yes yes yes. I think that’s why there’s a whole category of novels called ‘airplane books’.<>chadao<>, I’d forgotten about < HREF="http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-angsty-teens-keep-diaries-and-write.html" REL="nofollow">that post<>. Thank you.<>janine<>, add a glass of wine to that and you’re well away…
I have two hours of dedicated reading time during my commute and I love it. I can certainly believe that it reduces stress levels.I would also like to thank you again for the copy of Ammonite, I read it last week and I absolutely loved it. The story and the characters were fascinating. I have been thinking about the book constantly since I finished it, I know I will read it again.
Writing relieves stress, sure … but re-writing and editing only ramps it back up again. Harumph.
I’m reading ANWAGTHAP now, and I write every day. And there’s some stress, but probably less so than otherwise might be the case. :)Sarah
<>rory<>, when you’re done relaxing, tell me what you liked about it. <>Ammonite<> is one of those time warp things for me–it feels like yesterday when I was writing it, I still remember the triumphs and the struggles, but it also seems like a lifetime ago.<>cromercrox<>, having a hard time with the work? Sorry to hear that. Go for a walk. Seriously. It always helps me.<>sarah<>, is this a repeat read? One day I’ll get brave enough to read it again. Maybe.
by the way, thanks for getting me back to reading and the library and etc…it does help with the destressing.