I’ve always known that a good book can take you away from your problems, at least for a little while. Apparently, science agrees:
via GalleyCat Bibliotherapy could help with stress
Do you read to take you away from it all for a while?
Jill James, romance writer
Time of Zombies, Book 2 – coming soon!
Authors of Main Street 
I’ve always felt that books are therapeutic and I even have a t-shirt that says: Bibliotherapy. No matter what you’re dealing with, there is a book to help you. 🙂 Happy Friday!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true, I really love historical romance as a way to get far away from all of my problems.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Books are definitely my favorite form of self medication!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Well, that and chocolate. But books don’t have fat and calories. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree, no calories in books, and e-books are much cheaper and they don’t clutter up the house!
LikeLike
Books are my go to stress therapy. Well…that and cleaning! But a good book can relieve the stress of the day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Carol, books are much more fun than cleaning!!! I only do that if I have writers block.
LikeLike
Carol, would you like to come to my house and clean? I’m sure my place would bust a lot of stress from your system. It’s a really big house and in severe need of a good cleaning.
🙂
LikeLike
Oh, yes! I climb into a book and hide from the world! Which is why I don’t like thrillers, etc. I want to calm down, not send my heart racing as a I turn pages. Light, funny, maybe a cozy whodunit, but the best books are the ones that end with a happily ever after, and most of those fall under the heading of a romance.
When our girls were little, I’d count pennies in the grocery store with the hopes that I’d have enough to buy a book. Then after I’d get them tucked in at night, I’d fill the bathtub and read. That was my time. It recharged my system, reminded me that I was more than a mommy, cook, and a housekeeper. (That was back when I kept my house clean!)
Today, reading is a guilty pleasure. I’m usually buried in one of my own stories. I swear my writing has kept me going and kept me from falling apart when the stress has been too much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
E., I remember those years of saving change to go to the used-book store and giving back some books so I got store credit. I hate getting rid of books. If I could, I would have my own library/bookstore to save them all. 🙂
LikeLike
Escapism of most sorts is good for the mind and the subconscious—that’s my theory anyway, and I’m sticking to it. 🙂 A good book (it doesn’t have to be great) or a contemplative bit of witticism or poetry can settle the spirit & ignite the imagination. How cool is that? Great post, Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Leigh. I love historical romance and time travel romance. Escapism at its best.
LikeLike
Oh yes, I read to relax or forget physical and mental pain. And now I find writing my own stories even more relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes! Writing is escapism at its best.
LikeLike
I’m catching up on my blog reading. Yes to bibliotherapy. I also write to escape. *g*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joan, me too. Writing has always been my therapy, first with poetry and later with books.
LikeLike