Bibliotherapy: the perfect selfcare activity for the holiday lull

The week between Christmas and New Year often feels like an in-between time offering a pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The holiday festivities are winding down, yet the new year hasn’t quite begun. For many, it’s an ideal time to reflect, recharge and embrace a little extra selfcare. One delightful way to do this is through Bibliotherapy.

What is Bibliotherapy?

Bibliotherapy is the practice of using books to support overall wellbeing: mental, emotional and physical. It has roots tracing back to ancient Greece, where libraries were seen as healing places for the soul. In medieval and early modern periods, books like the Quran and Bible were often prescribed in mental asylums for the treatment of disorders. Today, bibliotherapy is often used in therapeutic settings though it’s also an accessible and enjoyable selfcare activity you can incorporate into your daily life.

Benefits of Bibliotherapy

Whether you’re delving into fiction to escape reality, reading memoirs to find solidarity in shared experiences or exploring self help books for guidance, bibliotherapy offers something for everyone. Here’s why it’s particularly beneficial during the post Christmas lull.

Reflection and renewal

The end of the year naturally invites introspection, especially in the Northern hemisphere as it’s winter. Books can offer fresh perspectives, inspire resolutions and help clarify goals.

Stress relief

Curling up with a good book is a calming ritual that promotes relaxation and reduces holiday induced stress. Reading lowers your heart rate, decreases blood pressure, eases muscle tension and creates a calmer state of mind.

Connection

Reading stories that mirror your experiences can combat feelings of loneliness and foster a sense of connection.

Escapism

Immersing yourself in a fictional world provides a healthy break from reality and recharges your mental batteries.

Other benefits include:

Improved life skills such as problem-solving, conflict management, empathy, self-expression, and self-awareness.
Insights into personal challenges and existential concerns related to ideologies, freedom, mortality, life satisfaction, etc.
Improved vocabulary, general knowledge, and self help strategies.
Better understanding of social relationships and family dynamics.
Ignited creativity.

How to approach Bibliotherapy

Choose your focus

Are you seeking comfort, inspiration, or distraction? Your current emotional state can guide your book selection.

Pick the right genre of book

Fiction for escapism
Memoirs for connection
Self-help for growth
Non fiction for knowledge
The arts for creativity

Create a cozy reading space

Set up a spot where you can read uninterrupted. Add blankets, cushions, and your favourite drink for maximum comfort.
Set aside time
Dedicate specific times for reading each day. A study at the University of Sussex found that reading for just 6 minutes has the power to reduce stress levels by 68%.

How to enhancing your Bibliotherapy practice

Journal

Reflect on your reading by jotting down thoughts, favourite quotes or lessons learned.

Discuss

Share your insights with a friend or join a book club. Talking about your reading deepens the experience.

Experiment

While books are one of the most common components of bibliotherapy literature, any format of written work might be used, including:

• magazines

• pamphlets

• research papers

• poetry

• quotes

• blogs

• Audiobooks or e-books if you want a change of pace.

Over to you

What book will read this week?

We’d love you to share in the comments what you’re reading at the moment and the benefit it is bringing you.

Happy reading!