Top Five Books to De-stress and Ease you Out During Lockdown

While you may have de-cluttered your room, cleaned your emails and moped your house, you might still be left with ample time and if you are worried thinking about how to kill time; we’ve got your back!

Reading could be a hobby which you could explore, for some its just a way to feel bored and may help you fall asleep while for others it is recreational and they enjoy making reading part of their leisure time.

• Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

Jog On is all about running and its the positive impact. Running can have major effect on your mental health. The author, Mackie ended her twenties struggling with the heartbreak of a divorce and the underlying mental health problems that caused her anxiety and depression. But soon she started to run and tables were turned. Through this book, the writer shares her experience with funny, moving and motivational stories that will help you want to get out there.

• Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman

Separation Anxiety, a comic one is written by one of the bestselling authors Laura Zigman that was published in 2020. The novel puts some light on middle-aged loneliness combining two extreme feelings of grief and humour. She is a clever writer who talks about the major changes the protagonist of the novel goes through after she discovers her fondness for a dog.

• Three men in a boat by Jerome K. Jerome

The book shows the misadventures of three unassuming hypochondriacs who decide that a row up the Thames is the perfect antidote to all their maladies. The novel is based on late Victorian era– originally intended to be a travelogue – it is a rare classic from a humorous angle.

The book routinely digresses to narrate anecdotes about their ill-conceived attempts at packing and the writer’s cantankerous Uncle Podger. The account of three clumsy friends, and their fox terrier Montmorency whose “ambition in life, is to get in the way and be sworn at”, is what makes the book worth reading – but even more so during gloomy times of self-isolation.

• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

The book shares with the readers how to manage their anxiety by making decisions in the face of insecurities. It also shows how to manage toxic relationships and become more skilful and confident. It taeches us to stop negative thinking patterns and re-educate and train the mind to think more positively.

• The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT by Russ Harris

This one is a novel of the techniques of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The author has written book with an aim to reduce anxiety, stress and worry and all the time break self-defeating habits, overcome insecurities and create a meaningful and enriching life.

An easily approachable and enjoyable read, the writer argues that the factors dealing with depression, anxiety and addiction is not through removing bad feelings, but rather developing mental tools to fight them effectively.

Over to you

Being anxious about coronavirus and watching news or receiving messages won’t bring any change but would surely affect your mental health. Try to avoid staying glued excessively to any medium that might bring across the numbers or data. 

You can also access free online e-books and avoid stepping outside to visit library or going to any bookstore. While staying at home is the safest, reading your favourite set of books could be a therapy.