Mia Krysa

I’m a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. If you’re not familiar with the law, it basically says that whatever you put out into the world is what you’ll get back. The thoughts you think on a day-to-day basis will ultimately show up in your life.

Output positive thoughts, emotions and energy = receive positive thoughts, emotions and energy

This week, after I had read a few articles about reading in general and a few more chapters in Stolen Focus, I was thinking a lot about the benefits of reading and how important it seems to be for our mental health. And then, I was scrolling through Instagram, which brought me to Reddit, and saw this post:

“My husband started reading to me before bed and I am the happiest I’ve ever been with him. We got married very young, and have 2 boys under 3 years old. I am finally out of my postpartum haze… Recently, he started reading to me before bed. I asked him about the book he was reading and he asked if I wanted him to read it to me. It has been one of the most intimate and special things he has done for me. I look forward to this every night now and have already picked out the next book. I don’t want this feeling to ever end.”

I thought to myself; how funny, that I’ve been contemplating the importance of reading, and this post pops up on my feed.

Until I could read on my own, my grandmother used to read to me when I’d stay over her house. I can still picture the covers and illustrations that would lull me to sleep. It must mean something that I can still remember these things and not a random Instagram post that I might’ve come across when I was 15.

There are studies that show the benefits of reading. Research has found that even just 6 minutes of reading per day can reduce stress levels by 68%. And, if you read with your significant other, it’s likely that you’ll experience higher relationship satisfaction. In my opinion, whether you’re looking to read with a loved one or alone, something is stress-reducing about the act of finding a new book to read. It’s literally one of my favorite feelings.

Picture this. You walk into Barnes and Noble on a Sunday. You have nowhere to be, no one to speak to, no errands to run. You can smell the coffee brewing at the Starbucks counter. It’s crowded but not overwhelming — there are no beeping cash registers or employees speaking over the intercom. You’re surrounded by books of all genres, paperback, and hardcover. There are comfy leather chairs scattered in various aisles. You browse the shelves until you find a new book, sit down with a coffee, and just read. Phone on DND. Name something better than that. There are very few things that come close to that feeling.

If you have a free moment sometime this week, I encourage you to pick out a new book. Whether that’s in a Barnes & Noble, or in the book aisle at the grocery store. Read with someone you love or by yourself. Take time to destress and immerse yourself in the story. Do that again next week, and the week after, and the week after. Reap the benefits of reading and notice your life beginning to change.