Reading (or bibliotherapy) has been a source of comfort for lots of people for a long time. Here’s how some people use it to help when they are struggling with their emotions:
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Go back to a book you’ve read before that was particularly good or felt really comforting
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Read a Fantasy or Science Fiction book to completely escape from your mind for a bit
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Find a self-help or psychology book on a topic you’re particularly struggling with at the moment
There’s times in my life when the library has felt like a really safe place for me. Somewhere I can go to just to explore and look at what books I find without having to pay or anyone judging me. It’s just somewhere quiet I can go to where no one cares about what I look like or what’s going on at home. Everyone is there for their own reasons...
Why not try visiting your local library or the GW Library and asking where the self-help or the young people’s section is. See what you find and spend time just browsing and finding something that interests you. Click on the following links to find your nearest library in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.
Our friends over at Reading Well have also worked with public libraries to create a list of the best books to support wellbeing. You can browse their full booklist or check out books specifically for young people in primary or secondary schools. All books should be available to borrow from your local library. For more details you can read their blog written for World Book Day 2020.
In this video, renown children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, describes how books and reading helped her mental wellbeing growing up: