Keep the Heid and Read ... in an unusual way
Renfrewshire residents are being urged to brush up on their reading as part of a new campaign to beat stress and boost mental health.
People of all ages can benefit from casting their eyes over six minutes’worth of reading, say the area’s library chiefs.
Residents are being urged to ‘Keep the Heid and Read’as part of a national initiative on Wednesday.
It comes as part of a unique bid led by the Scottish Library and Information Council, together with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.
They say just six minutes of reading daily can help boost mental health and well-being.
As a result, residents are being asked to pledge to have a read of anything, from books, newspapers, magazines and comics, to graphic novels or even blogs to join the campaign next week.
And Renfrewshire Libraries is offering five readers the chance to win a £100 book token each if they are randomly selected from all those who sign up to pledge their six minutes.
Readers are also being asked to sign up to the campaign at www.keeptheheid.scot/#pledge and add their reading minutes to an online totaliser counting the overall reading time pledged by Scots taking part.
The Keep the Heid and Read campaign was inspired by the post-lockdown plea for public libraries to reopen and the growing recognition that libraries play a valuable role in supporting mental health and wellbeing by connecting communities.
It is taking place during Mental Health Week, which concludes on May 15, because of the known mental and emotional health benefits of reading.
Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress by up to 68 per cent and establishing a regular reading habit has the biggest impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Paisley Central Library is hosting a spin bike reading event on Wednesday for staff and the public to have some fun by completing their six minutes’ reading in an unusual way.
Joyce Higgins, digital and library development manager, said:“I would encourage everyone to take part in the Keep the Heid and Read! event as the benefits of reading to our wellbeing are widely known.
“You can take part and make your pledge to read for six minutes as an individual or as part of a reading group, with work colleagues or fellow class members at school, college or university.
“Libraries can play a vital role in bringing people together and promoting health and wellbeing after what everyone has been through with the coronavirus pandemic.”