When was the last time you lost yourself in a good book? I’m talking about the kind of book that transports you to another world. A book that lets you forget all about the things that are going on in your own life. A book that gives you the bliss of a short break where the only thing you have to worry about is the fate of your favorite character. There’s something magical about that kind of book.
There’s also something very therapeutic about losing yourself in a different world. It’s beneficial to “check out” from your real life for a little while and give yourself a break. We’re under a lot of pressure both at work and in our personal lives and that pressure can cause quite a bit of stress.
Being stressed out, in turn, does quite the number on our health. When we’re feeling stressed, we aren’t sleeping well, and we aren’t eating healthy foods. Instead, we run on coffee and junk food in a desperate attempt to catch up. That, in turn, leads to an increase in blood pressure and thus a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. In other words, giving your body and your mind time to relax, unwind, and de-stress is important. And a good book can help you do that.
It doesn’t matter what you read, or even if you read it or listen to an audio version. The important thing is that you give yourself permission to not worry about your own life and everything in it for a bit. Think back on the types of books that have done that for you in the past. Head to your local bookstore, go to the library, or browse on Amazon and find some old or new favorites that help you do just that.
To be perfectly honest, it doesn’t even have to be a book. If you prefer to watch a movie or binge on your favorite TV show, do that. Or maybe you’re a gamer who can lose himself in WOW or some other epic and all-consuming game. It doesn’t really matter what you do to transport yourself to another world in your mind. The important part is that you take the time to do so when you need it most. Pick a book, a movie, or a game and go have fun in a different universe while you de-stress. Your body and mind will thank you for it, and it’s a lot of fun to do.
