Can reading relive stress?

Yes, especially peaceful reading.

I believe it can.... The right kind of material for sure! :0)

Sure! Especially if it's a good book!

Dear Megan Goodgirl,

This is how I approach reading for stress relief...because if I am too anxious I cannot sit down and concentrate on the book. So first I just do everything I can to address the stressful situation, at least get some things started.

Then I sit down to read, and then it works for me. In fact, I just did that yesterday!

An entertaining book can lift you, like a magic carpet, away from whatever is troubling you. It can certainly ease your stress for the time you're actually reading and may be instrumental in helping you get a stress-free night's sleep.

However, if you are the sort of person who gets stressed while driving in heavy traffic I do NOT recommend reading while you're behind the wheel. What you see when you lift your eyes from your book is likely to be highly stressful indeed.

It usually works for me!  Once I'm into a good book, my surroundings seem to fade away .... I can't live in two worlds at once. :)

Yes, it can. It does for me.