Reading as self-care: Books for the anxious and overwhelmed

Ever sent a text you instantly regretted? You know, the kind that leaves you spiralling all day—agonized, anxious, and desperately trying to distract yourself from constantly checking your phone? That was me last week. And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. My overwhelming feelings (with a sprinkle of anxiety) hit such a peak that I couldn’t even escape into a good book. I’d sit down, open a page, and nothing—my brain refused to cooperate. Every word blurred together as my thoughts raced a mile a minute.But hey, at least something productive came from that mess: the idea for this podcast episode.In this episode, we dive into the fascinating psychology of how reading impacts our brains—particularly when it comes to stress, anxiety, and emotional processing. I also share book and genre recommendations to help you find the perfect read for those moments when life feels overwhelming.From one fangirl to another, thank you for being here. Happy reading <3