Book list to relieve stress and mild depression.

[aceplace57]

A love for reading is the greatest gift my mom ever gave me. Reading helped my mom deal with the stress of her thirty-five year career as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). She dealt with some pretty horrific emergency cases back when she did general anesthesia. She’d come home and read for hours. I can remember getting my book and quietly reading beside her when I was only 6 or 7.

I still read a lot to escape the pressures of my work in data processing. It’s amazing how much I can relax after only a couple hours of reading. I sleep so much better when I make time for reading.

I’m always on the lookout for lists of good books. Part of the list is printed in this article. I’m looking for the full list when its released.

Can a good book help beat depression? GPs draw up list of 27 'mood-boosting'...

Debbie Hicks, director of research at the Reading Agency, said: ‘Readers chose books which they thought had qualities that promote well-being.

‘We have funny and humorous titles and you also get books that have quite breath-taking experiences in them.

‘Reading is a really good stress-buster. It can help you escape to another world and get out of your everyday life.

‘There’s lots of evidence that reading can really help you relax and escape and this is a good strategy for dealing with stress and anxiety.’

The scheme was announced yesterday by the Society of Chief Librarians as part of a new national strategy for Britain’s libraries.

The official list of was drawn up by the Reading Agency via book groups, many catering to people with anxiety and depression. And it may not be long before the likes of Fifty Shades Of Grey By EL James are also being recommended, as readers have been invited to submit their own suggestions. It is hoped those with ‘mild to moderate’ mental health conditions will try out the idea before turning to prescription drugs - many of which can have unpleasant side effects.

[aceplace57]

Here’s the full list of 27 books.

More info on the reading well program.

I’m impressed with the variety of books on the list. Some I’ve never heard of before. I’m looking forward to getting started. I’m hoping my local library will have many of them.

[gigi]

I keep my Calvin and Hobbes collection around for this very purpose. It’s funny but also I wonder at how something can be so genius. Takes me out of my own head for a while.

[iftheresaway]

Thanks for sharing this! I agree that a good comedy or heart-warmer can be great for lifting the spirits, although I generally have a knack for choosing exactly the wrong book for a pick-me-up. After my father died, I managed to read two comedies in a row which featured a parent’s funeral. I’m adding pretty much everything from this list to my amazon wish list now.

[Rachellelogram]

Perry Bible Fellowship. It’s a webcomic, not a book, but you’ll like it.