Words Are Medicine (Repost)

A Bibliotherapists Journey

Books + Journals = My Happy Place

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Dear Friend

How are you feeling on this rather stormy Monday? Here in Wales the weather has been pretty unpredictable, with horrendous floods in most parts of South Wales. My thoughts go out to those dealing with flooded properties and businesses, it much be heartbreaking to witness. So I feel very grateful that I’m sat here in my warm, cosy home surrounded by stacks of feel good books and my journal.

As I bring my ‘in-person retreats’ to a close for 2024, I’m going to batten down the hatches and take some quality time to work ‘ON’ the business rather than ‘IN’ it throughout December. I guess it’s the best excuse to be surrounded by more books, a stack of my favourite journals, and sink into the healing power of words.

What’s super exciting is that after launching a new podcast called ‘The Bibliotherapists’ with my co-host Toni Jones founder of 💛 The Shelf Help Clubhouse last Friday, we are now No 6 in the Apple bookish podcast charts. With over 13,500 downloads from over 130 countries world wide, I am dancing with joy! All my passion projects reaching huge milestones at the end of a super duper 2024!

Some of you may be aware, but some may not, that I’m hosting a two day retreat called “Rest & Read with Ease” next June with a PRO bibliotherapist

Lucy Pearson

founder of The Literary Edit. More information about this delightful event will be uploaded shortly. If you are looking for an excuse to retreat, read for hours, feast on delicious locally sourced produce while relaxing in an exquisite abode, then this retreat has your name all over it!

In the meantime, I’m going to be hosting a variety of new workshops called ‘Read with Ease’. It’s part of my new ‘bibliotherapy workshop series’. It all came about after Toni and I were interviewing guests for our podcast. But that I’d also had conversations with a few of my ‘Journal with Ease’ students, requesting support with their book buying and reading habits.  Some of whom described how they struggle with the books they’d bought, frustrated with their lack of reading practice, some saying they suffer from an overwhelming feeling of guilt when they do eventually sit down to read a book.  

A few questions for you…

How is your reading practice going?  Consistent? Ad hoc?

Do you read in the morning or before bed?

Do you read hardbacks? Mainly paperbacks? Or prefer to read on your kindle?

Are you late to the bookworm party like I was, and feel like you’re playing catch up with loads of books on your ‘to be read’ pile?

As you well know I’m a massive journalling fan, I don’t go a day without writing in my journal and on reflection the same goes for my reading ritual.  But it never used to be this way.  As a child I couldn’t sit still for longer than 5 minutes, so reading was never a priority or a chosen activity, I’d much rather have been out riding my pony or messing about at the stables.

Thank goodness books found me almost a decade ago, and now I’m obsessed with reading. I’d rather get into my pyjamas, grab a blanket and dive into a good book than socialise with friends (sorry friends). There are occasions where I worry I won’t live long enough to digest all the books I want to read. Ridiculous I know. But in a world where screens unfortunately now dominate my attention, with relentless notifications pinging every other second, I’ve discovered the transformative power of combining my passion for two ancient practices: journalling and reading.  I’m hoping that my personal journey into bibliotherapy will blossom into a mission to help others find healing, clarity and creative expression through the written word as it has done for me.

Bibliotherapy: is the art and science of healing through books. It's a therapeutic approach that uses carefully selected reading materials and reflective writing to support mental health, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing. More than just reading for pleasure, it's a guided journey where stories become mirrors for self-discovery and bridges to deeper understanding.

When I was hosting therapeutic journalling workshops at a ‘Lifestyle Medicine Conference’ a few weeks ago, I was asked by a lovely nurse Caroline, if I could help her reignite her reading practice. Bless her heart, she had spent a fortune on self-help books recently, and expressed she didn’t have a clue as to why she had selected them.  Some of her books came recommended, others were bought on a whim and a few were gifted to her.  

Without hesitation I said yes!

I asked Caroline to complete a ‘Read with Ease’ questionnaire, so I could understand more about the type of books she has enjoyed in the past, which genre of book she was most attracted to, and how reading made her feel.  I’ll then prescribed a list of books that would suit her emotional needs, introducing her to a few new genres and complimented her book prescription by gifting her a reading journal. The journal included therapeutic journalling prompts, sentence stems, reading and mood trackers, with space to record quotes from the books she’s resonated with. I’m excited for her!

Recent research supports what bibliotherapy practitioners have long observed.  Including a 2023 study published in the ‘Journal of Positive Psychology’ found that just 20 minutes of reading per day can reduce stress levels by up to 68% - more effective than taking a walk or listening to music.  Furthermore, regular journalling has been linked to a 25% decrease in anxiety symptoms and improved emotional regulation.

Here is an interesting article published in The Guardian newspaper a few years ago, and still very relevant today - The Healing Power of Books and Libraries

My approach over the coming months will involve weaving together various therapeutic arts, because I’ve recognised that healing rarely comes through a single channel.  While bibliotherapy, or otherwise known as book therapy, forms the foundation, I’ll be encouraging my students to explore multiple creative outlets.  I wholeheartedly believe that the key will be making these practices sustainable - seeking out those precious pockets of time that exist even in the busiest days.

After returning from hosting one of my ‘Digital Detox’ weekend retreats, one of the most common challenges I encountered with my guests, was the struggle between their digital habits and their intentional reading time.  Apparently the average person checks their phone 96 times a day, spending 147 minutes daily on social media, yet not realising that just 20 minutes of reading fiction can improve empathy and emotional intelligence.

How many times do you check your phone?  

When was the last time you checked how many minutes you’ve spent on social media each day, and do you have the phone next to you when you sit down to read?  

Hmmm food for thought eh?

A personal invitation…

As someone who is deeply passionate about the healing arts, I believe we all deserve a daily wellbeing ritual.  In my humble opinion, some should be non-negotiable! Whether it’s five minutes of journalling with your morning coffee, or a chapter before bed, these small acts of literary self-care compound into profound personal growth.  

Your journey towards bibliotherapy doesn’t have to be solitary.  I invite you to explore how curated reading and reflective writing could enhance your wellbeing.  Sometimes, the most powerful medicine comes bound in pages, waiting to be discovered.

"Reading is the basic tool in the living of a good life."
— Virginia Woolf

If you’re interested to learn more about the wellbeing benefits of bibliotherapy, and love a new podcast, be sure to tune into the The Bibliotherapists podcast, a new episode drops every Friday, and this week our interview is with the one and only

Beth Kempton

Alongside my co-cost Toni Jones, we’re creating a space where literature meets life wisdom.  Our lineup features an extraordinary roster of guests - which include published authors, creative visionaries and Substack writers who all bring their own unique perspectives to the healing power of words.

Each episode promises to deep dive into how literature shapes our lives, featuring intimate conversations with wonderful women who’ve used writing and reading as tools for personal transformation.  Our guests aren’t just authors - they’re creative experts and thought leaders who understand the profound connection between words and wellbeing.  I hope you are able to tune into our informative, witty and upbeat podcast because it’s been an absolute joy to host.

Before I sign off, I’ve curated a few journalling prompts for you, perfect for the reluctant reader…

1. Morning reflection - before reaching for your phone, write three reasons why you want to read more consistently.  What could you accomplish in a year if you redirected your scrolling time to reading?

2. Digital detox dialogue - track your phone pick ups for one day.  For each check, note what you were seeking. Or write a letter to your future self about how you want your relationship with reading to evolve.

3. Reading ritual design - describe your ideal reading sanctuary. What elements would make you choose books over screens?  List five tiny moments in your day that could transform into mini reading opportunities.

4. Story connection - after finishing a chapter of your book, write about how the character’s challenges mirror your own.  

5. Swap it - What emotions arise when you imagine reducing screen time for more reading time?

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xx

About me… I’m Tanya Lynch, a mother, a ridgeback owner and the founder of Ease Retreats.  I love what I do, collaborating with authors and creatives, hosting retreats in beautiful venues across the UK.  I’m also a podcaster, a therapeutic journalling coach and through my program ‘Rage on a Page’, I help midlife women channel their emotions into something more positive and creative in less than 60 days. Each Thursday I host an online journalling club called ‘Journal with Ease’ and it’s free for paid subscribers to attend. If you have any questions about the benefits of therapeutic journaling, please reach out and connect. I’m usually on a beach walking the dogs, hosting retreats or hanging out here on Substack.