Keep calm and read on.
As a parent, you know that raising a child is alternately a thrilling and stressful responsibility. We donât need to tell you again how, thanks to this pandemic, your job just got that much more difficult. Working from home and school cancellations donât always play well together. And on top of all that, itâs no small feat to stay brave in the face of uncertainty for their watchful eyes.
Letâs take a break from the bad, shall we? Hereâs some uplifting news:
While it sometimes feels like weâre living in a sci-fi novel, it turns out that picking up and reading said novelâor, any book, for that matterâcan help you de-stress faster than any other activity.
Thatâs rightâyou should read to reduce stress. Itâs science.
Researchers from the University of Sussex found that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent. (Think about your kids. Now, think about them being 68 percent more relaxed. Youâre welcome.)
Reading is both faster and more effective for relaxation than most other activities, such as walking, listening to music, or curling up with a cup of tea.
As if you needed a better excuse to drop everything and read with your kids, hereâs a few other reasons why we think reading is the best cure for troubled times:
- Stories provide a welcome distraction.
Reading a story allows both you and your child to mentally escape to a new world. One thatâs not inundated with a lack of toilet paper and the constant repetition of the phrase âsocial distancingâ (unless, of course, youâre into that!). - Reading gives them space to learn.
In the absence of school or other care programs, reading every day helps to flex your childâs blossoming brain. And while books are crucial for encouraging curiosity in kids of all ages, theyâre particularly important for younger children. By reading to your baby, toddler or preschooler regularly, you can send them off to kindergarten with a stronger vocabulary and even better behavior. One less thing to stress about! - Storytime = cuddle time!
Reading together gives you and your family a reason to hold each other close, even if only for a few minutes. This physical closeness can help your child feel comforted and at-ease in an otherwise uncertain world.
For kids who are older and reading their own books, you can still arrange a time for the whole family to lounge around and read their own books, together. Any activity that evokes that precious sense of âtogethernessâ will have everyone feeling a little more relaxed. - …Or playtime!
Flip the switch and read a story out loud while the kids act it out. Itâs a great way to reduce stress and keep them occupied at the same time. (Phew!)
Now, letâs set the scene.
Grab your favorite, most imaginative Literati book to find a story thatâs guaranteed to sweep away your childâs imagination.
But if you really want to up the zen factor and create a soothing ambiance to help your kids (and letâs be real, yourself) stay calm, cool, and collectedâhereâs a few other tips:
- Light candles. Close enough to feel the vibe yet far, far enough away from your kids. Safety first.
- Tidy up. Easier said than done, we know. Try decluttering one small area. Cleaning is proven to reduce stress, too.
- Play music. It doesnât have to be Frozen or anything else theyâll be compelled to launch into song for, as cute as it is. Try searching âzenâ on Spotify!
- Breathe. An action so vital yet easy to take for granted. Take a few deep, mindful breaths before settling into storytime.
Itâs a changing world out there. But while weâre spinning, the world of books holds steady. Reading transports us to new, magical places where we can continue to learn, delight in new things, and feel hope. Books are a familiar haven, but most importantly right now, they settle our restless minds.
So, the next time you’re ready to unwind? Reach for a book.