It’s official. Reading is good for your mental health. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and today the Reading Champs were discussing why reading is so good for you. It reduces stress; did you know that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by 60%?? Studies show that reading is more effective at reducing stress than listening to music, going for a walk or playing a video game. Reading helps you to escape from the real world and to develop empathy for others.

The theme of this year’s MH week is Anxiety. In our Champs meeting today we shared the story of Gretel the Wonder Mammoth who suffers from anxiety but is helped by her friends. We talked about the things that make us feel anxious sometimes and what we might do if we feel that way.

Then we looked through the library shelves for books that we thought might be helpful for people to learn more about mental health or anxiety.

Well done Champs. You know that a little bibliotherapy can do us the world of good. I was proud of you all today.

Mrs Wood