Can Reading Fiction Actually Make You Happier?

"During the pandemic, I provided counseling for several health care providers. These dedicated medical professionals faced overwhelming stress due to: Patients dying at an increasingly higher rate. Longer hours of work, changing work conditions, and schedule changes. Significant risk of getting sick, and/or dying themselves. Risk of spreading the disease to family members at risk. My clients desperately needed stress-reduction tools to help them through a challenging time."

"One client, I'll call Mary, worried that she might have to leave the nursing profession due to the extreme stress she suffered. As Mary and I discussed her stress management options, I asked her, What gives you pleasure every day? Reading. If I can put my feet up and escape into a great story, I feel restored, Mary said. Researchers found that deeply immersing ourselves in fictional worlds, talking about books with others,"

"Therapists often recommend books, a practice known as bibliotherapy, to help patients with a variety of mental health conditions. In my own practice, I've found that those clients who read novels can find strength and inspiration from fictional characters who triumph over adversity. From Charles Dickens' David Copperfield to Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, stories of overcoming poverty, abuse, trauma, neglect, and societal conflicts illuminate the path to our own resilience."

Reading literary fiction increases empathy, lowers physiological stress, and broadens perspective, supporting creative problem-solving. Deep immersion in fictional worlds, discussing books with others, and reflecting on stories can improve mood, well-being, and reduce distress. Health care providers faced overwhelming pandemic stress from rising patient deaths, longer hours, changing conditions, personal health risks, and fear of infecting vulnerable family. Daily pleasure from reading can restore emotional energy and offer stress-reduction. Therapists recommend bibliotherapy to support mental health. Readers can draw strength and inspiration from fictional characters who overcome adversity, with stories illuminating paths to resilience. Superhero identification can also aid therapeutic acceptance and commitment.

Read at www.psychologytoday.com