Read your way to BETTER HEALTH
A book club could be the key to your mental wellbeing
Bibliotherapy might seem to be the new kid on the therapeutic block, but in actual fact, the concept of using books as therapy has been around for centuries.
The Ancient Greeks were the first to believe in the healing powers of literature, and since then we can attest to the comfort a good book can bring.
Typically, bibliotherapy is used in conjunction with other treatments, explains Lucy Pearson, bibliotherapist and Scribd ambassador.
“It’s commonly used to support other types of therapy, but it can also be used as a way to broaden someone’s reading repertoire, and read beyond the bounds of their usual literary picks,” Lucy explains.
“Reading regularly has a plethora of benefits. From increasing your vocabulary to opening your mind to new worlds, fostering a deeper sense of empathy and expanding your knowledge, there are endless reasons for making reading a priority,” she adds. “Reading or listening to audiobooks can help to relax you too, and depending on the content you’re ingesting, it is a great activity to do before bed so you’ll have a restful sleep.”
But you don’t need to be a bookworm to experience these kinds of benefits. “This type of therapy is not just for people who are already really into books,” says Lucy.
“Techniques used in bibliotherapy can be beneficial for people from all walks of life with different levels of need.”
Because of this, book clubs have seen an increase in popularity as they allow you to not only indulge your love of reading but connect with others
with similar interests. “Attending a regular book club creates a sense of connection with others through a shared love of reading,” says Lucy.
“Being a part of a welcoming community of like-minded people can be incredibly beneficial to your mental health. It’s human nature to want to belong, so book clubs are the perfect environment to thrive with people who share a common interest.”
Here, Lucy shares her three top tips for starting your very own book club. 1
CHOOSE A COMPELLING READ
Mix it up with fiction and non-fiction, local and international authors. Pick your selections from a diverse range of books to step outside your comfort zone. This will keep your club engaged, compelled to read and continually challenged.
Share around the responsibility of selecting a title and think about accessibility, is the novel available as an ebook or audiobook? Try to piggyback on a celebrity book club’s picks or check out Scribd’s monthly reads for a great place to start.
2 COME WITH TALKING POINTS
Discussing a text is a great way to start the conversation on a range of topics, helping you expand your mind and challenge your assumptions. To help everyone get involved and hear a variety of opinions, coming to each club with a set of engaging questions can help get the ball rolling and conversation flowing. A sense of structure can ensure everyone feels welcome to talk about their ideas. If you want to step up your discussions further, you can even appoint a devil’s advocate each meeting to avoid too much conformity!
3 STICK TO A SCHEDULE
It can be hard to set a time that suits everyone, but by keeping a regular time in everyone’s calendar, members have the same notice and will be less likely to cancel.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and sometimes a book club can be the first thing to go when we get busy. If monthly is too frequent, switch to every other month! The only “right” timing is one that you’ll stick to.