Engaging this therapy entails engaging in enjoyable activities.
Rewritten Article:
Embrace the soothing escape of bibliotherapy, the practice of reading for wellness. For 15 years, licensed clinical social worker Emely Rumble has been prescribing books to her clients as therapeutic tools, guiding them through emotional journeys and offering valuable personal insights.
Through stories, readers can find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of emotions, gaining self-knowledge that might otherwise remain hidden. Therapists often use books to help patients process trauma through relatable fictional characters rather than direct questioning. In a world that's constantly on the go, immersing oneself in a book can serve as a much-needed respite.
"For most of us, there's not really many opportunities to slow down and turn inward," says Rumble, who teaches a course on bibliotherapy at Queens College in New York City. "Reading offers a break from work and caring for other people, and it can also be a way to gain personal insights."
Self-discovery through stories
Stories often have a profound impact on readers, making them cry, angry, or providing moments of pure joy. These emotional responses offer valuable opportunities for self-reflection. "If an emotion comes up for you while you're reading, there's some information there for you," Rumble explains. "If readers stop and think about what's making them have the reactions they're experiencing, they can gain valuable knowledge about themselves."
Similarly, if readers find themselves connecting emotionally with certain characters, they should consider what's drawing them to those individuals. To help in this exploration, Rumble recommends keeping a journal on hand to record these insights.
Reading about and reflecting on a topic can also provide an opportunity to see things from other people's perspectives and even reconsider beliefs. "We can realize that, OK, maybe I am thinking about something in black-and-white terms. Or maybe I am catastrophizing a little bit too much," says Rumble. "Sometimes we read something (to help) reframe our perspective."
Stories also remind readers that they're not alone in their struggles, providing a sense of empathy and companionship. "We're all impacted by the same societal ills, maybe on different levels, in different ways," says Rumble. "This realization can help people feel less alone."
Regardless of whether you're a fan of historical fiction, science fiction, biographies, romance, young adult fiction, or something else, understanding your reading preferences is essential. Your local librarian or a site like Goodreads can help guide you in your reading journey.
The device for reading is up to you: some prefer audio books, while others enjoy hard copies or e-readers. What matters is that it's enjoyable for the reader.
Reading with a professional
While some find reading to be a solitary journey for self-discovery, Rumble explains that therapists also prescribe books to their patients as a form of learning and healing. "Traditional talk therapy, having a therapist ask you very personal questions or details about traumatic experiences, can feel really harrowing," she says.
"When you're looking at it through the lens of a fictional character," she continues, "it becomes a lot easier to talk about some of those painful memories or to consider different experiences that you've had."
Aim for enjoyment, not goal setting
Despite the benefits of reading, national reading rates are declining. The average American reads only 12.6 books per year. As a college professor, I've witnessed this trend among my students, too.
However, Rumble emphasizes that it's best not to set goals for how many books you'll read in a given time frame. "Once we start focusing on how much we're reading, we take the joy away from the benefits of slowing down," she explains.
When enjoyed without pressure or goals, reading can be a powerful way of escaping, relaxing, and realizing truths about ourselves and the world. Whether it's India, Paris, or Italy that you want to explore, the right book can transport you there and offer the relaxation and self-discovery that we all need.
- Emely Rumble, a licensed clinical social worker, advocates for bibliotherapy, the practice of reading for wellness, recommending books to readers as therapeutic tools to promote self-discovery and emotional healing, particularly during the 20th century.
- In a world dominated by fast-paced living and trauma, books can serve as a refuge, giving readers the opportunity to experience a range of emotions, gain self-knowledge, and examine their own beliefs, even reconsidering catastrophizing thoughts through the perspectives of fictional characters.
- Wellness expert Alaimo observes that reading can help Break down isolation, fostering empathy and companionship among people, regardless of their reading preferences, whether they are historical fiction enthusiasts, romance lovers, or young adult fiction fans.
