Reading fiction is my first port of call when I’m feeling a bit stressed or low; it calms me down, grounds me when my mind is wandering, and helps me gain a wider perspective.
Whether you’re facing a stressful interview, experiencing trouble sleeping, or if you’re just in need of a mood-boosting book, here are ten ways to use bibliotherapy on a day-to-day basis. How do you use books to feel better?
 |
| A dedication in a lovely edition of Jane Eyre, from the film Definitely, Maybe. |
1. Pop a book in your bag
Carry a book with you and you’ll be prepared to deal with unexpected waiting, nervous feelings before a big event, or anything that leaves you wanting to be cheered up.
2. Memorise one or two lines from poetry, a sentence from a favourite book, or a great quotation
Reinforce your mental fortress with words you know will bring you strength and tranquility when you most need it. Tennyson’s “Ulysses” has helped me out on many an occasion, but here are some favourite lines from “If” by Rudyard Kipling that we’d all do well to remember:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise…
3. Buy a reading journal and scribble down some thoughts on what you’re reading
There’s just something about writing in a personal reading journal that Goodreads can’t ever compete with. Moleskine book journals are my favourite.
 |
| The wonderful Moleskine Passion Book Journal (I must share a photo of my own in a future post!) |
4. When in a difficult situation, ask yourself what a character or author would do
Whether you look up to Mr. Bennett or Charles Dickens, Jane Eyre or Zadie Smith, get in touch with your inner literary guides and ask what they would do.
5. Buy a friend a book and leave a note or dedication in it
After being pleasantly surprised by Definitely, Maybe, a film which praises dedications in books, I’ve remembered how much I truly appreciate receiving a book with a few personal words in its inlay.
6. Spend an hour in a library or bookshop
Because being surrounded by the wisdom of thousands of years and the ingenuity of humankind’s best minds is surely a great thing.
7. Flick through a book of quotes
Whether you choose an anthology of quotations (I use the Penguin New Dictionary of Quotations), or a little quotes bible of your own making, you’ll be sure to find some reassuring guidance to uplift your mood.
8. Re-read a favourite novel
Reading a book that you’ve enjoyed before allows you to experience the positive feelings all over again. How good is that?
9. Prescribe yourself a brilliant novel you’re yet to read (but sure to love)
If you keep hearing about a book that seems too good to be true, go out and treat yourself to it.
You know, I do all of this things!
Particularly 1, 2, 6 and 10 are musts, for me.
For example, when I feel like I'm drained by studying and I start thinking I can't remember anything and I feel like I'm going to fail my exams, I start repeating between myself the first verses of the Iliad, or the first verses of The Rain in the Pinewood by D'Annunzio, just to reassure myself that I actually studied and remembered something for several years, so doing it again won't be as hard as it may seem 🙂
Great post! I loved the lines from "If" that you quoted.
Lovely list! #1 and #3 are a must for me. Also, I love that poem by Kipling, I used to know it by heart.
What a great list of ways books can make you feel better. Rereading a favorite novel is one that has helped me more than once.
I needed to read this right now. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Caro! I'm so very glad you found it useful, and I hope you're doing ok 🙂
Thank you, James! And I completely agree with you on the value of rereading – it has also helped me out on countless occasions!
I'm so glad you liked the list! The Kipling poem must be one of the best poems to learn by heart… a task for me this summer, perhaps! It says so much about life and getting through trickier times.
Thank you! The lines from "If" must be some of my favourites…they make so much sense, although I know I often lose sight of the messages they hold!
I'm so happy to know you find all these things useful too, Camilla!
I absolutely love that you repeat lines from the Iliad or The Rain in the Pinewood when you're feeling drained…I'm keeping note of this for personal reference (thank you!)
Oh well, you're welcome 😀 Glad my personal experience will be useful to you, someday (hopefully).
I'm certain it will be!