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Great article in New Yorker magazine

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultur ... ou-happier

"Reading has been shown to put our brains into a pleasurable trance-like state, similar to meditation, and it brings the same health benefits of deep relaxation and inner calm."

...happy trails

I am going to have to say... DUH! I did not read the article but I can say from experience that books make me extremely happy and have often cheered me out of a bad mood. If I am upset I go to the library or the book store and instantly feel calmer.

Of course it can and it often does!

I hear ya, bluemel. Just entering my local library has a very serene effect on me.

I have just completed a month without turning on my TV, and rediscovered two things I had forgotten in the din of everyday life-silence can really be golden, and filling my time reading is a joyous experience, once I got through the initial withdrawl of grabbing the remote and then thinking "oh...yeah..." I found myself reading for entire days, and not feeling guilty, but very, very happy, and found authors and couple of book series I might never have found with my "babysitter" still on. I have decided to rejoin the world of the TV lovers, but am also determined to also keep a toe in the quiet and peace of bookland, reading and absorbing with a silly grin on my face.

Yeah, reading is meditative, because your mind is perfectly focused on the book (assuming that the book has "grabbed" you!). Reading doesn't actually cheer me up so much as it interests me and transports me. TV is actually more likely to cheer me.

Marchioness wrote:I have just completed a month without turning on my TV, and rediscovered two things I had forgotten in the din of everyday life-silence can really be golden, and filling my time reading is a joyous experience, once I got through the initial withdrawl of grabbing the remote and then thinking "oh...yeah..." I found myself reading for entire days, and not feeling guilty, but very, very happy, and found authors and couple of book series I might never have found with my "babysitter" still on. I have decided to rejoin the world of the TV lovers, but am also determined to also keep a toe in the quiet and peace of bookland, reading and absorbing with a silly grin on my face.

Wow. I went a week once with no TV. I admire you! For me, I just like having it on as background. Late at night I get a bit spooked without it.

Only if you aren't reading stupid books.

Yes, reading books can make you happier provided the book wasn't written by John Steinbeck or you might become so sad you will vomit your spleen out through your nostrils.

Of course it can and does.

I hardly watch any TV and prefer to read instead.

In general, I think participating in any hobby you love will make you happier!

I do believe that reading can make you happier. Immersing oneself in good books is also a great way to cope with difficult circumstances (at least it is for me, anyway). Thanks for sharing this article, by the way. I know someone who is a therapist and I plan on sharing it with him.

Reading has helped me through many moods. Different books for different moods. Kind of like music

Sure does. Reading is a huge stress reliever for me. I actually miss going to the library for the sense of calm that I would get every time. Now reading in a nice, hot bath works wonders!

I enjoy identifying with the author's words and story. A part of myself is experiencing the life of a character in the book and a part of me becomes that character. Therefore reading makes me happier.

chermarl wrote:I enjoy identifying with the author's words and story. A part of myself is experiencing the life of a character in the book and a part of me becomes that character. Therefore reading makes me happier.

I too and well said.

Sometimes yes, it can be a good way to cheer me.