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A Burrowing between the covers of a miracle to destressing That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 25 | Thursday, February 4, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com friend who's a bit of a bookworm recently sent me an article outlining the innumerable, impressive perks of reading. Seriously, if they could invent a pill with as many mind-boggling bene ts to overall health and happiness, people would ock to pharmacies and pop `em like PEZ candy. Honestly, try to imagine a pill (or PEZ, for that matter), according to research, may well conquer stress better than assorted other go-to relaxants, such as herbal teas, soothing music, and even exercise. To boot, this de-stressing -- lowering of heart rate, easing of muscle tension -- begins six scant minutes after a reader cracks the spine of a good book. Cracking that spine is also considered to be a wonderful mental exercise that can keep your brain razor-sharp and stave off mental decline. Further, there is ample evidence that engaging the brain with hobbies like puzzles and reading actually helps in the battle against dementia; according to Dr. Robert Friedland. Friedland has conducted considerable research in the eld: "Just as physical activity strengthens the heart, muscles and bones, intellectual activity strengthens the brain against disease." If you need further incentive to crawl between the covers of a good book, recent studies suggest the more you read, the more compassionate and empathetic you become. Impressive? How about this: reading self-help books (a.k.a. bibliotherapy) in conjunction with professional support sessions, has been found to lower levels of depression. Personally, for most of the year, I read for pure pleasure. However, during the long, dark days of winter, I read for survival. You see, like many SAD souls, I struggle with winter. I don't know if I have an of cial case of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or if I'm simply prone to being whacked by the winter blues, but I do know over the course of the cold season, I need escape. So, at night I light a re in the family room -- warming and illuminating the old hearth of darkness -- pour a cup of something hot and soothing, and I burrow into the pages of a transporting tale of ction. John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces takes me to New Orleans. David Bergen's Leaving Tomorrow ies me to Paris. Kent Haruf, who passed away just last November, takes me to the ctional town of Holt, Colorado. While Andre Alexis transports me to Toronto, where his novel Fifteen Dogs unfolds, with each of the 15 canines in question having been given human intelligence. Winter has no counterpunch for such cre- ative, buoying, and indeed uplifting escape. The late great Kurt Vonnegut, who really should have the last say on pretty much every issue, once said: "I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle." So it goes. Above and beyond all of the above, reading is indeed a meditation. And a miracle. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@ gmail.com, Facebook or Twitter @thesportjesters. $ 10 off Purchase an entree & receive $10 off a 2nd entree. Kids under 12yrs Eat for fREE Every Tuesday Not to be combined with any other offer. One coupon per table, no facsimile Coupons, valid Tuesday to Thursday and Sundays only, Expires Feb 29th, 2016 905-849-1777 www.mariabonitaoakville.com 151 Lakeshore Rd. E. Call for reservations ER PER SUPER SU SUP R PE SU R PE SU S GS ING VIN AME GAM G AME U S PER UP SU ING SAVIN SA SAV VIN VINGS EE A LL S SA $ SAVE $250 50" SMART LED TV MR 60 · 2 HDMI · 1080P #96068 698 SMART 50" SMART LED TV SEE OUR FLYER IN TODAYS PAPER! Varicose Veins? TireD acHY LeGs? skin DiscoLoraTion? swoLLen FeeT or ankLes? For information on how compression can help, stop by one of our locations to speak with a certified fitter (always free of charge), or visit us online www.thebracingexperts.com Oakville Burlington 380 Dundas St. E. 3350 Fairview St. T: 905.257.4335 T: 905.637.4335