Escape into a good story

Staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19 is a current necessity for most of our community. When we’re accustomed to moving about our city freely, however, and with the added stress and uncertainty of the pandemic, it’s easy to feel claustrophobic in our own houses.

But there is an easy way to forget our surroundings – through a good story.

The Wagga Wagga City Library building may be closed, but the library is still open online with an incredible array of ebooks, audiobooks, movies and kids’ activities available.

Library Services Manager Claire Campbell said stories were especially important in a time of crisis.

“You can go anywhere in a book. You can be in a small apartment or in your house and unable to go anywhere or do anything, but through a book you can escape. You can walk in someone else’s shoes, climb a mountain, fall in love or go on an adventure.”

Reading can also help relieve stress. Studies have shown that the act of reading lowers a reader’s heart rate and eases muscle tension.

“It’s actually really good for your brain as well, to think about other places. It can help to alleviate your feelings of stress,” Ms Campbell said.

“It doesn’t matter what you choose to read. Some people read books that are beautifully written, others like to read books that take them to another country.

“It can be wonderful to learn about history as well. Subjects that may have been fairly dry when you learnt about them at school – when wrapped up in a story – can transport you, leaving you with a much deeper understanding.

“There’s so many ways that a book can take you out of a stressed, cramped physical space.”

To access the library online, visit rrl.nsw.gov.au/elibrary

Library membership is free.