Opinion: The healing power of literature
“Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people — people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” E.B White
One of my favourite things about literature is that it allows you to vicariously experience so many things. Whether that involves attending a school of witchcraft and wizardry, finding love in the most unexpected places, or traversing foreign and fictional lands, literature helps us all escape from the banality of everyday life in a busy town.
In 2007, Calli Armstrong published research exploring the use of fairy tale as an effective tool to cure anxiety symptoms in children, considering the experience of reading literature to be one that improves people’s ability to deal with their own emotions as a result of catharsis. This idea is rooted in the emotional rejuvenation or cleansing that comes from experiencing someone else’s life through literature. Armstrong’s research makes it crystal clear that by almost being dropped into someone else’s life while reading, we can better equip ourselves to live as us afterwards.
An example that comes to mind is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. As a metaphor for entering adulthood, this novel tackles important themes of identity, belonging, teen angst, and the transition into maturity. This may help readers navigate and better understand this same transition in their own lives, suggesting literature almost serves as a life coach to guide us through our every phase. Literature gives us a built-in companion through all of life’s hardships; after all, the best thing for you when you’re down is someone to sit there beside you.
For me personally, I always plan small pockets of time for reading into my day as I know it helps me relax, recuperate, and mentally prepare for the next part of my day. Whether I read for a while between my endless coursework, or to unwind at the end of my day, reading works wonders for my mental health.
At weekends, visiting local gems like The Reading Tree in Weedon or Suddenly On Sheaf Street in Daventry is my perfect escape—calm, cosy havens where I can find books I love and browse without rush.
Personally, gravitate towards literary fiction to escape from reality; becoming someone else for a while really helps me cope better with myself, even if it just allows me a break from myself for a bit. However, you may find that it is instead fantasy novels, non-fiction, or romance novels that allow you to escape and relax.
Reading has also been proven to reduce stress; the act of sitting down, holding a book (or a kindle if that’s more your style) and escaping to another world for a while has a real grounding effect, and reading in a calm, relaxing environment furthers this impact. As a result, reading allows us to deal with stress and anxiety better, sleep better, and generally navigate life’s difficulties in a healthier manner.
Literature is so much more than words on a page; it helps us in a myriad of ways, so much so that we may not even realise some aspects of our lives where it has a positive impact. You can get so much out of reading, even if it is just for a little while each day, or simply when times get tough. Embrace reading and writing as your therapy to help you improve your own mental wellbeing, as well as your ability to work through difficult emotions.