RWS - Reading While Stressed

I’ve had a tough few years and they look like getting worse economically and physically. But I can generally lose myself in a good piece of fiction. But not lately.

I just discarded a book I’d been looking forward to - Kevin Powers A Line in the Sand. The producers of the Audible book had made an error and the display chapter numbers did not match the actual chap Peter number. So if I wanted to go back to physical chapter 3 I’d have to click on chapter 6.

It may well be a good book. But it was driving me nuts. So for the first time in decades, I am booklets!

Am semi-immersed in Penelope Lively s Consequences. Character, driven, mellow, well-narrated, but no page-turner. Still, she’s such an excellent and disciplined write I think I’ll get through it despite the stressed
.

Reading is not the only way to reduce stress. It doesn't work with me. I can't concentrate. Here are some other methods I use:

Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce stress by releasing endorphins, improving mood, and reducing muscle tension.
Meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress by calming the mind and reducing negative thoughts.
Deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress by slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
Yoga: Yoga combines physical activity with deep breathing and meditation, making it an effective way to reduce stress.
Spending time in nature: Spending time in nature can help reduce stress by providing a calming environment and reducing mental fatigue.
Listening to music: Listening to music can help reduce stress by lowering the heart rate and reducing muscle tension.
Spending time with loved ones: Spending time with friends and family can help reduce stress by providing social support and a sense of connection.

Buddha's Brain

>3 AntonioGallo: thanks. Some of those I can’t do as I am unwell. I agree about the meditation.

But I don’t read in order to reduce stress. I need to reduce stress in order to read. As one ages the opportunities for many activities we used to do closes off. Many older people become socially isolated and that compounded problems.

I’ve been unable to read during other periods of my life so I’m hoping the ability will return.

Thank you for your kind suggestions

I had a stretch of a few years when my reading was a tenth of normal. Life has a way of dimming my ability to read from time to time. Finding some fluff to read sometimes helps me out of it.

It’s frustrating when stress interferes with reading. Especially when it’s a longterm stress. It’s frustrating in the moment.

>5 labfs39: I find a murder mystery can sometimes do it. I’ve just bought The Lock-up by John Banville who has merged with his other alia Benjamin Black who wrote well-composed trashy mysteries. I think The Lock-up is more Benjamin Black. So hoping this will get me out of my readers block.

>6 dchaikin: yes, when it’s long-term it’s concerning. Family and health-related stress tends to be long term; well in my case, and I long for the days that I always had at least one book on-hand that I wanted to pick up at any spare moment.

>7 kjuliff: Suzanne Brockmann books have occasionally diverted me for a while. And there are a lot of them. Romantic suspense/thriller featuring Navy Seals.

>8 labfs39: thanks, I’ll give them a go!

>4 kjuliff: I wish you all the best

>3 AntonioGallo: Reading for me during pandemic was dismal. I'm starting to enjoy reading once again now that life is returning somewhat to normal.

I just wanted to add to your list of stress reducers. My husband and I did jigsaw puzzling (which we still continue to do for fun). It was so calming that I even did it during the night when I was unable to sleep. It's very zen. You just sit quietly and only focus on placing the pieces.

By the way, my favorite used book store also sells used jigsaw puzzles! :)

>11 SqueakyChu: Life is indeed a jigsaw puzzle!

>12 AntonioGallo: full of lost pieces

>13 kjuliff: sometimes we find them

>14 AntonioGallo: And sometimes they just don't fit.

I decided to learn Spanish I stream. There’s an online interactive app like a game. My aim is to listen to one of my favorite authors, Javier Marias novels.

>16 kjuliff: Enjoy! Try Italian, too ...

Italian is too similar. I tried Italian a while ago and didn’t take to it. Posssibly because I learned French first. I’d love to be able to speak several languages. But Spanish is good now I live in America.

I’ve started to get into John Banville’s The Lock-Up but now I’m getting addicted to learning Spanish. Plus I’ve been thinking I might like Time Shelter. I see >15 labfs39: that you recently rated it - 3.5? But still maybe it’ll grip me.

>19 kjuliff: I just finished Time Shelter today and haven't written my review yet. I enjoyed the first half a lot, but felt the second half bogged down, and although the ending was interesting, by that point I just wanted to finish. So an uneven reading experience for me. That said, the writing was very good, and I marked lots of passages. I am interested in questions of memory, both personal and national, so the topic was a draw for me.

>20 labfs39: I’m fascinated with memory as well and it was that aspect of the book that interested me more than the time thing. I’m looking forward to reading Time Shelter now.and to your review.

>20 labfs39: just started Time Shelter. Gave up on The Lock-up because I couldn’t concentrate on the plot.