Sometimes, all you need is to rest.

By reading a good novel.

I wasn’t feeling quite well last week, so I decided to take it slow for a while. I didn’t set a deadline; I just decided to do things I enjoy most – reading, walking, and exercising – a bit more to take care of myself.

Luckily, one of my favorite authors, Sally Rooney’s new book, came out last week. I pre-ordered it in July, as I like supporting my favorite authors by pre-ordering their new books, so I completely forgot about it coming last week. The timing was perfect. As soon as I started reading the book, I began to feel better. I thought, “Maybe all I needed was just to rest.” Reading a book that I like is one of my favorite ways to rest – in addition to walking and exercising. And surprisingly, after a week of slowing down, I felt energized and motivated again.

Okay, the book. It is called “Intermezzo.”¹ I didn’t know what Intermezzo meant. Honestly, I don’t care. Whatever Sally Rooney writes, I will read it because I like her style. The story is not important. Indeed, while reading Intermezzo, I could not stop thinking, “Why do I care about these random people’s struggles and lives so much?” As I am not good at summarizing novels, I will not try to do it for Intermezzo. But, I can say that if you like Sally Rooney’s famous novels like Normal People² or Conversations with Friends³, I can assure you that you will like Intermezzo.

Speaking of which, I started reading novels in English back in 2018 with Sally Rooney’s books. Before that, the only book that I could understand and finish was “The Last Lecture”⁴ by Jeffrey Zaslow and Randy Pausch; I guess it is not really a novel.

When I started reading Conversations with Friends, I was amazed by the simple and clean language, which is very important for people like me, for whom English is their second language. I didn’t know that Conversations with Friends is Sally Rooney’s first book. Also, we are the same age. I don’t know why, but this makes me feel like we are on the same boat–she writes new books, and I improve in reading novels in English by reading her books.

So, what is the key takeaway? Reading a good novel is one of the best ways to rest, and if you can find an author whose style you like, you are very lucky.

While writing this newsletter, I wonder:

Is there scientific evidence that reading a novel is an efficient way to rest?

And, of course, I asked ChatGPT this question. Here is the answer:

“There is no direct scientific evidence that specifically claims reading a novel is an efficient way to rest in the same way that, say, sleep or meditation has been studied. However, there is substantial evidence suggesting that reading, particularly fiction, can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and provide mental rejuvenation.

Here are some relevant findings:

1. Stress Reduction: A 2009 study conducted by the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, more effectively than other relaxation methods such as listening to music or drinking tea. The immersive nature of reading fiction, in particular, was found to engage the mind and divert attention from stressful thoughts, helping to lower heart rate and muscle tension.

2. Mental Rest: Engaging in a novel can provide a kind of mental "rest" by creating a break from the demands of everyday life. Cognitive psychology suggests that reading novels transports readers into fictional worlds, allowing them to momentarily escape their concerns. This can give the brain a chance to reset, similar to how daydreaming or meditating might work.

3. Emotional Regulation: Fictional stories often explore human emotions and challenges, which can provide readers with vicarious emotional experiences. This emotional engagement has been linked to improved emotional regulation, which can contribute to feelings of well-being and mental rest.

4. Cognitive Benefits: While reading a novel isn't purely "restful" in the passive sense (as it still requires cognitive effort), it can offer a form of active rest. Engaging with a story can stimulate imagination and creativity, potentially leading to a more relaxed, refreshed mind. It activates brain regions responsible for empathy, language comprehension, and memory, helping to balance mental activity in ways that can leave readers feeling more restored.

In conclusion, while reading a novel may not have the same physiological impact as sleep, it can indeed offer psychological relaxation and mental rest through stress reduction, emotional engagement, and cognitive stimulation.”

Now, time to read a book.

Cheers,

Sidika

1. https://amzn.to/3ZP5a7H

2. https://amzn.to/3XWVVj2

3. https://amzn.to/4gUoB4X

4. https://amzn.to/3XSEHU0