Reading is not only an intellectual activity, but also a powerful tool for emotional development. Laura García, director of Booklif, clearly explains it: "Reading increases emotional intelligence." Through her workshops, García spreads the power of books to heal emotional problems and enhance personal resources, a practice known as bibliotherapy.
Bibliotherapy, which uses reading as a resource for emotional healing, allows people to better understand their feelings and experiences. Reading not only provides us with entertainment or information, but also helps us connect with ourselves and develop essential emotional skills. It is common, for example, that by reading about characters who are going through similar situations to ours, we can identify and process our emotions more clearly.
Scientific Evidence of the Power of Reading
Various studies have proven the benefits of reading for emotional well-being. A study by the University of Rome found that regular readers tend to be happier. In addition, researchers from Emory University showed that reading can reduce stress and contribute to an increase in emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, and psychosocial development. These benefits are possible because, according to the theory of psychoneuroimmunology, reading connects the mind with the nervous and immune systems, promoting integral well-being.
Reading as a Therapeutic Resource
Bibliotherapy is already regularly used in some countries. In the United Kingdom, there is a pioneering program in which doctors collaborate with libraries to prescribe novels and poetry as a complement to the treatment of patients with emotional problems. For those facing mild conditions, bibliotherapy can be the main treatment, accompanied by therapeutic sessions. This practice has the potential to be implemented in hospitals, primary care centers, and other health settings.
For reading to be therapeutic, a careful selection of texts and a process of reflection before, during, and after reading are essential. García emphasizes the importance of choosing the appropriate works according to the reader's emotional situation. Certain stories, for example, can be an effective tool for children to understand and manage complex feelings. For young people, the right books can offer answers to their concerns, helping them navigate the crucial stages of adolescence.
The Responsibility to Foster Reading in Our Children
In a world where technology constantly attracts the attention of young people, fostering the habit of reading becomes a responsibility for mothers, fathers, and caregivers. The emotional benefits of reading are broad: from the ability to develop empathy to the ability to manage emotions. Through reading, young people not only expand their knowledge but also explore complex emotions and learn to identify them.
Inviting children and adolescents to read regularly is, in essence, an investment in their emotional growth. By fostering the habit of reading, we are not only helping them improve their cognitive skills but also building a solid foundation of emotional intelligence that will serve them to face life's challenges.
The Transformative Power of Books
Reading, according to García, is a profoundly healing practice. By connecting with characters who experience emotions and conflicts, readers can see themselves reflected and find ways to face their own problems. This helps them develop empathy, as by putting themselves in the shoes of the characters, they can better understand the emotions and motivations of the people around them.
Reading is also an exercise in self-knowledge. Books expose us to ideas and feelings that we may not have explored. By seeing our own emotions reflected in the stories of others, we have the opportunity to know ourselves better and to understand how certain events or relationships affect us.
Why Read as a Family?
Encouraging family reading can be an effective strategy for developing the emotional intelligence of all its members. Sharing books, discussing characters and plots, and talking about the emotions that readings evoke can create a safe space for both children and adults to express their own feelings. In addition, these shared reading moments strengthen family bonds and promote open and empathetic communication.
Family reading also teaches children to value books and the knowledge they offer. Young people who grow up in an environment where reading is done and stories are valued are more likely to continue this habit into adulthood. Thus, they are not only being provided with a tool to improve their emotional intelligence, but they are also being given a resource that will serve them for life.
Conclusion: Reading to Live Better
Reading is not just a pastime; it is a gateway to an emotionally rich and balanced life. As Laura García explains, reading increases emotional intelligence, and this is a fundamental skill for facing life's challenges. Through bibliotherapy and encouraging reading in the family, we can promote self-awareness, empathy, and resilience in our children, as well as in ourselves.
Fostering a love for books from an early age and doing so consistently can transform lives, helping all of us navigate emotions and live more consciously and at peace with ourselves.
