Babe*With*Brains Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Am I the only one who finds a certain 'safety' in literature? I mean, when i'm facing an uncomfortable situation I find that all I want to do is 'switch off' from the world and bury myself in reading or writing. I just feel that i'm happiest when i'm immersed in some 'alternate world'. does anyone else find themselves turning to literature for comfort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Yeah I do that. Because I suffer from Anxiety Disorder I find it great escapism. And I'm not afraid to put down a book that isn't helping me hide in literature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Oh absolutely. Sometimes there is a huge comfort factor in books. I will often read something with the specific aim of de-stressing myself or cheering myself up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I envy you guys. Whenever I'm stressed or unhappy (which happens fairly often) I find that my already abysmal capacity for concentration gets even worse, so I find myself reading the same page over and over without taking anything in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amethyst Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I think this is why I started reading in the first place, to escape from the world around me. The world inside a book is a much more pleasant one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm the same as BookJumper - occasionally it works but it worked better when stress was made up of homework and boys at school. Books just don't cut it over finances and employment. Still, when I do manage to switch off and disappear into a book, it's pretty cool. I do find a certain safety in books where their situation is far far worse than my own, like waking up from a nightmare and realising things really aren't THAT bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestfi Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I envy you guys. Whenever I'm stressed or unhappy (which happens fairly often) I find that my already abysmal capacity for concentration gets even worse, so I find myself reading the same page over and over without taking anything in. I have to be very relaxed to read, I tend to read in bed anyway and don't get very far with it, say, if in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room, or if I'm worried about something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I have to be relaxed too. If I'm slightly worried or stressed I find it hard to read, which is why I was never good at revision or exams. I do find that a good book does help me relax more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I find that reading is the one thing that truly relaxes me - switching off the real world, locking the doors, unplugging the phones and immersing myself entirely into someone else's imagination. That, in itself, becomes a reality for me, while I'm there. As Giulia and Roxi mentioned, sometimes during periods of great stress, I too have lost the ability to concentrate and have been unable to focus enough to read, but after a period of healing, I found myself plunging into my TBR mountain with relish. I love reading. I guess we all do here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babe*With*Brains Posted September 12, 2009 Author Share Posted September 12, 2009 Yeah I do that. Because I suffer from Anxiety Disorder I find it great escapism. And I'm not afraid to put down a book that isn't helping me hide in literature same here! I actually posted this thread this morning because my social anxiety was playing up! I was supposed to be meeting with someone i knew, but the thought was filling me with dread and i found that all i wanted to do at that moment was snuggle up on my own and lose myself in a book. I suppose it's a form of escapism...it's like looking into someone elses life other than your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaLee Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 For me it really depends on the type of stress or situation I'm experiencing. If I'm just escaping a frustrating day or haven't yet come to a conclussion or made a decission on something I need to,.. then escaping to another world for awhile really helps me to de-stress and untangle the confusion of thoughts rattling about upstairs. If the situation is more dire ....I'm unable to concentrate and stay focused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I have to be relaxed too. If I'm slightly worried or stressed I find it hard to read, which is why I was never good at revision or exams. I do find that a good book does help me relax more I am the exact same way. I find that as my life gets busy or more stressful, I read less. However, if I can squeeze in the time, a book helps me to re-focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Certain books - mainly the spiritual ones, can help me re-focus, but a long walk normally does the trick for me - there is nothing like fresh air for clearing the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funrun Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I will read to escape life when there are hard decisions tomake and life gets very hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookBee8 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Recently I've been having a tough time (nothing major but it's important to me) and I've found myself reading a lot more. The escapism is fantastic. Even with a lot on my mind, I can lose myself in a book. It's made me love my most recent reads more, the fact they've been a 'support' when I've needed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 If I'm having trouble sleeping because of a stressful situation, I find that reading helps (or at least, it's better than laying awake in bed). At other times though, I just can't concentrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anika Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Yes,escapism! That's exactly it. I don't have any problem concentrating on a book if I'm stressed or upset. If I wasn't reading I'd only be ruminating over a situation that's bothering me, so I'm all for any pleasant distraction I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libri vermis Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I actually can't concentrate on a book when I am under stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Me, either. When I'm stressed or my depression is particularly bad, I can't concentrate on a book at all. If I really try, I can maybe get some reading done, but I'm mostly only capable of zoning out in front of the TV or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libri vermis Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I should clarify what I said. I can read when under stress, but I would get through about 50 pages and not remember one word. I also tend to veg in front of the telly when stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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