Books and Coping

When faced with tough circumstances, stressful situations or overwhelming news, some people turn to alcohol as a way to cope. Others find respite in drugs. Or sex. Or chocolate.

Me? I turn to books. Okay, and chocolate too. And maybe a few glasses of wine. Let’s not lie.

Books have always been a comforting companion to me in hard times. During my tumultuous first couple of years as an undergraduate, during which time I had little to no concept of what I wanted to do, who I was or where my life was headed (er… much the same way I feel today, minus the “Who am I?” part), I would bury myself in book after book, night after night. I even went so far as to read aloud to my boyfriend at the time, under the guise of “reading together.” Little did he know…

When that boyfriend and I broke up after two and a half years, books came to the rescue once again. They were the only thing capable of stemming my tears and putting me to sleep during those difficult days.

When I moved to England, leaving my beloved family and friends behind to start a new life – again, doing god-knows-what – I rode back and forth on the tube to and from work, to and from the crumbling Victorian townhouse I was renting with friends in East London, with my nose in a book. I was afraid, and I needed to find comfort.

Even during my Masters degree, back in Toronto, when I was supposed to be reading four novels each week as part of my curriculum – well, yes, I read those, but I also read about six other books during those eight months for pure pleasure. Why? Because I experienced more stress as a graduate student than ever before.

And now. Now, after my latest break up, books have once again come to the rescue. The book I was reading in the days leading up to the break up has become more dear to me than before, and I continue to read it at every chance I get. By delving into another world full of different woes, triumphs and failures, I am able to gain a better perspective on my own circumstances, and thus to heal more quickly.

Don’t get me wrong: I love my life, and I’m not trying to ignore my surroundings or decisions by reading regularly. It’s just that when times get tough or trying, a good novel not only acts as an easy escape, but often contains immensely valuable life lessons. You can’t really go wrong with that combination. By coping with my stress through the use of books, I have become a better and stronger person. Perspective is everything, and books have plenty of that to offer.

To leave you with a quote:

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” - Charles W. Eliot