Reading for Wellbeing

Bibliotherapy — Books as Medicine

Bibliotherapy — using books to support mental health — has been practised since ancient times. The Greeks inscribed 'healing place for the soul' above their library doors, recognising the therapeutic power of the written word.

Reading fiction increases empathy and emotional intelligence by allowing us to experience life through others' perspectives. This can improve our relationships and our understanding of our own emotions.

Self-help books, when chosen carefully, can provide practical strategies and frameworks for managing mental health challenges. They complement professional support rather than replacing it.

Poetry, in particular, can capture complex emotions in ways that prose cannot. A single poem can make you feel understood and less alone in your experience, which is profoundly healing.

Building a Reading Habit

If you've lost the habit of reading, or depression has stolen your concentration, start very small. Read one page before bed, listen to an audiobook while walking, or try a graphic novel — all reading counts.

Remove barriers to reading by keeping books visible and accessible. A book by your bed, in your bag, or on your phone means you're always ready when a moment appears.

Don't force yourself to finish books you're not enjoying. Life is too short for guilt-reading. Give yourself permission to abandon a book that isn't serving you and pick up something that does.

Audiobooks and e-readers are equally valid forms of reading. If listening works better for you — perhaps during commutes, walks, or while doing household tasks — embrace it wholeheartedly.

Reading Communities and Connection

Book clubs — whether in person or online — provide structured social interaction with a ready-made topic of conversation. For those with social anxiety, having something specific to discuss removes much of the pressure.

Sharing book recommendations is a form of emotional intimacy. When someone suggests a book that moved them, they're sharing a piece of their inner world with you. Reciprocating builds connection.

Online reading communities on social media, forums, and apps allow you to connect with fellow readers worldwide. The shared love of books transcends geography and creates meaningful friendships.

Reading together — in the same room, or even virtually through shared reading challenges — creates a quiet form of companionship that introverts and those with social anxiety often find comforting.

Books for Difficult Times

During difficult periods, choose books that offer comfort rather than challenge. Rereading childhood favourites, gentle fiction, or cosy stories can provide the literary equivalent of a warm hug.

Books about others' experiences with mental health can make you feel less alone in your struggles. Memoirs, in particular, offer honest accounts that validate your own experience.

Keep a comfort reading list ready for tough times — books you know will soothe, inspire, or gently distract you. Having this list prepared means one less decision to make when your energy is low.

If concentration is difficult, try short story collections, poetry anthologies, or essay collections. These can be picked up and put down easily without losing the thread of a plot.

Related free resources

• Self-care and wellbeing
• Loneliness support
• Self-Care for Parents and Carers
• Mindfulness & Meditation: A Beginner's Guide
• Coping Strategies for Mental Wellbeing
• Understanding Loneliness and Isolation
• Self-help exercises
• Depression Recovery Workbook
• Financial Stress & Money Worries Workbook
• ADHD Wellbeing Workbook