Reading has numerous benefits as most know, but it is usually underestimated as a means of self-care. A 2009 study by the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68% including reducing your heart rate and easing muscle tension—even over activities such as going on a walk or listening to music. (The Telegraph, March 2009)
Reading gives us a way to disconnect and can allow us to relax and recharge by immersing ourselves in another world, free from the stressors of our daily lives. Actually, one of the best times for reading is before bed to help unwind.
The best part is that it doesn't matter what you read! Give yourself a few minutes and grab a book or magazine that captures your attention. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve started reading “Just As I Am” because as President Barack Obama said during the 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony, “In her long and extraordinarily career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” Black History.
We’d love to hear some of the things y’all are reading in the comments!