New Delhi, April 23 (IANS). World Book Day is celebrated every year on 23 April, highlighting the importance of books across the world. On this special occasion, let us tell you that books are not only a means of entertainment and knowledge but also a means of improving mental health.
In today’s fast-paced life, stress, worry and anxiety have become common problems. In such a situation, an easy, cheap and effective solution to maintain better mental health is bibliotherapy, i.e. treatment of mind through books. An easy way to calm the mind without medicines is called bibliotherapy, in which a person understands himself better and finds solutions by reading books, stories, novels, or audiobooks related to his problems.
According to the American National Library of Medicine, many types of content are used in it, which help in improving mental health. This method is completely non-medicinal. No medicine is taken in this. A person chooses a book according to his choice and need. While reading, he connects with the characters of the story, understands their problems and starts finding solutions in his own life.
Bibliotherapy increases self-confidence, balances emotions and keeps the mind calm. Research has found that the level of anxiety in patients is very high before surgery. Using bibliotherapy reduces their anxiety significantly. This also reduces post-operation complications. Nurses and health workers can easily adopt this method. Appropriate books are selected according to the patient’s age, understanding and problem.
Bibliotherapy proves to be very beneficial in everyday life also. People who are constantly struggling with stress, depression or anxiety can improve their mental condition by reading books regularly. Reading books makes the mind creative, reduces negative thoughts and develops positive thinking.
The biggest feature of bibliotherapy is that it is cheap, easy and can be done sitting at home. No special equipment or expensive treatment is required. All you need is a good book and some time. Experts say that on an occasion like World Book Day, we should be reminded that books are not only a source of knowledge but are also strong companions of mental health.
–IANS
MT/DKP
