mindful reading – That Madras Mom

BLURB

“7 (plus a pro-habit) Tiny Everyday Habits that have a Powerful Impact on our Lives Other than the random element of luck, what differentiates successful people from the rest are their Habits. They cultivate certain habits which contribute to their happier and healthy life. Learning these habits and how to use them in your life is rewarding. In this book, you will learn about simple yet impactful lifestyle habits that separate achievers from regular people. These tiny habits have a transformative effect on your physical and mental health, career, your relationships, and life.

REVIEW

Self-help books always have a special corner when I’m choosing books for my next read or to be added to my TBR. Especially when it is a book concerning habits then there is no looking at blurb I simply pick it up and start reading it.

This book ‘Tiny habits massive results ‘ by Jaishree Nenwani is the first by an Indian author that I picked up centred around habits.
Habits truly define the person that we are. And they are also the things that make you stand apart from other around us. Leading a healthy and happy life is not just about food and exercise but also the habits that you’ve cultivated over a period of time.

When you meet someone and you get inspired make sure you also get to know what is that one thing that makes them stand apart which would ultimately be the habits that form their lifestyle. Make sure to see if you can incorporate them into yours.

The author gives you tips on how to include them and make them part of your routine. These tips are simple ways to bring in a change to our lifestyle to lead a healthy and happy life. Though they might be tiny habits but the changes they bring in is massive.

Processing grief was a major problem that I was facing a year back. But I attribute the small changes that I brought in which helped me manage the grief processing. If you are someone who is still yet to dive into the inclusion of new habits in your routine, do not worry. Jaishree will handhold you with starting to explain what is a habit, why is it important to develop them, how to form one and the seven habits that are going to have a great impact on your life. As a pro tip she gives you an extra edge with a tip that’s actually the cherry on top for which you will have to pick the book.

Explaining the seven habits the author not only let’s you know how important it is to include that habit but also ways on how you can make it part of your regular routine so that you don’t miss doing it each day. I loved how she chose to keep it simple by citing instances from her life which would make it more relatable when you read through the book.

Overall, if you are a beginner or a pro looking at making changes in life by bringing in new habits I’d suggest this book will be your guide to discover a new you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jaishree is a millennial blogger curating inspired wisdom that guides people to go deep and make a shift in their thoughts. She is passionate about journaling and loves to share wisdom and journaling tools that invoke deeper authenticity and Personal transformation. On her blog (https://getsethappy.com) she writes about Self-improvement, Personal growth and ways to become happier in your life.

Reading books take you to another world. It’s a noisy world out there and I tell you reading a book is one kind of meditation. A turn of a page can make your brain network calm and free you from the chatter that you’re currently present in. It helps boost dopamine making you empathize over people, providing ways to socialize and broaden our perspectives.

The power of reading helps in healing trauma, virtually transport you to another world or even help you build new qualities. There is no better teacher than a good book. Books can be an escape from the reality, the mundane day to day demands in front of us. All avid readers would agree with me that reading books is self-medicating and it is no surprise that reading books offer many more benefits.

A survey by the NPD revealed that the book sales went up in 2020, increasing print volumes much higher post 2004. While this was the trend it was also noticed that they were buying more but took much more time to complete because they were doing it slowly. The reason being they were distracted.

The mind doesn’t stay calm, holding a book in hand and screaming out ‘can’t you see I’m busy’ would show that you are not completely into reading. The lack of concentration in turn made it harder for them to proceed with reading. The anxiety in us that makes the brain constantly scan for threats around is becoming a roadblock to the reading. It releases stress hormones that is consuming more energy that people find it hard to concentrate on reading.

Here is how you can practice mindful reading. These habits will ensure that reading benefits you.

Begin with a short read

Our brain loves it and releases happy hormones when it is given a reward. And finishing a book that you started with is definitely rewarding that your brain wants to continue doing it. So pick up a short engaging read that you can finish sooner.

Meditate before reading

Reading needs a calm mind for it to happen naturally. Sit down and clear your mind away from thoughts. Close your eyes and do a deep breathe or even meditate with a prayer.

Reading to relevancy

Sometimes reading about what’s happening around you or what’s happening with you an make you stay glued. It will make you more attentive to what you read. Reading fiction, memoire also helps in making you show empathy on others.

Familiarity

Uncertain times can be handled when you return to something familiar that gives you solace. There are two types of readers: One who wants to keep reading to discover and learn about new things, and one who rereads just to comfort themselves and give them stability.

Read first thing in the morning

It is a great thing to start the day with. It can in putting your phone away and spend more energy on reading.

Put your phone away

Phones are a main distraction especially when it comes to reading. Give it to someone who wouldn’t give in for your please or in another room. The best would be even kept it in another floor.

Make it a habit

Relax yourselves in a comfortable spot, make yourself a hot cup of chocolate or your favorite beverage and try reading at the same time every day.

Read like a child

Read under the blanket, under the bed or a cozy corner like how we used to when we were kids. It gives a whole new perspective to the reading habit.

Stop reading if you cannot concentrate

Life has uncertainties that make you stress and let reading not be one. So, whenever you feel like that thought creeping in put down your book.

Listen to audiobooks

During solitary times it is comforting to hear a voice is your mind that is not yours. GO for an audiobook if you cannot read yourself and let the narrator take the stage while you relax.

Be prepared for the next.

Once you finish a book or you are almost going to complete it, keep another one ready so that you will continue to read. Do not give a long pause.

Here are reasons why reading can be a therapy. It’s called bibliotherapy.

Sometimes stories can hold deeper meanings in us than the real situations we live in.
Rekindling the interest in reading can make you feel connected and alive.
Switching of the stress buttons, giving yourself some me-time and helping you relieve from stress.
It will make you feel that you are not alone and there are people going through similar situations.
It gives you a sense of creativity and even make you start writing probably a journal which might further help to understand what you are going through.

I hope these benefits will definitely give you that positive push to get back to reading. But a reading challenge can even push you further to make it more interesting when you have a goal set for the number of books that you look forward to complete. I am taking part in blogchatter’s #TBRChallenge and aimed at completing 30 books this year. If you would want to know more and like to participate you could check here and sign up.