Ashley Sarah Real Insights and Reflections

Category: Fiction

  • Is Escaping Really that Bad?

    How Escapist Fiction Provides Necessary Mental Breaks that Improve Overall Well-being

    Stress recovery through psychological detachment –

    Research in occupational psychology shows that complete mental disengagement from stressors is essential for recovery. Immersive fiction creates this crucial psychological distance from daily pressures.

    The “mental vacation effect” – Neuroimaging studies reveal that reading engaging fiction activates similar brain regions as actual experiences, providing genuine refreshment without physical travel costs or logistics.

    I was stoked to learn this as I will most likely not get to go to Fegi any time soon!

    Temporary relief from rumination

    Engaging with fictional narratives interrupts cycles of negative thinking by redirecting cognitive resources, providing a healthy alternative to destructive coping mechanisms.

    I hope I am not alone, or crazy…. But have you ever caught yourself having full on conversations with yourself, alone, in the shower. After an interaction or dispute, all the things you could have said, or shouldn’t have said, play over and over again in your mind. My family calls that being “caught in an echo chamber”. It’s you vs. you (roleplaying as the offender). I often win these battles and leave very pleased with myself, yet never fully satisfied. So, the echo chamber continues…

    Don’t be caught in the echo chamber! Pray, Read, Google some funnies! Anything to stop the Addictive Negative Spiraling!

    Lets Escape!

    Psychological distance enhances perspective – The slight removal from reality in fiction allows readers to observe problem-solving more objectively than when emotionally involved in their own dilemmas, resulting in better development of effective approaches.

    My Take Away?

    Just like the wise always say… sleep on it!

    When making a big decision, cooling off from a disagreement or deciding on a baby name… its always good to remove yourself from the intense pressure we build up for ourselves. Take a break, take a read, fully allow your subconscious to absorb and process. BREATH! And fill yourself with the goodness of a book!

    Its amazing how when we step back, things tend to become less of a deal than we make it out to be, and the pieces fall into place.

    Comment and Connect!

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  • From Entertainment to Enlightenment:

    Finding Joy and Meaning in Some “Fun” Reading

    Why even beach reads and thrillers can enhance our psychological insights

    Beach reads and thrillers often get dismissed as purely escapist entertainment, but they could actually contain surprising depth and wisdom:

    1. Character resilience in thrillers models stress response – Characters that face extreme situations can demonstrate various coping mechanisms and problem-solving approaches that we as readers subconsciously absorb. Studies show we often mentally rehearse scenarios through fiction.
    2. Beach reads frequently explore relationship dynamics and emotional intelligence – Even romantic comedies set on tropical islands tackle themes of vulnerability, conflict patterns, and attachment styles in relatable ways!
    3. The “moral universe” of thrillers – These books typically establish clear ethical boundaries, allowing readers to explore complex questions of justice, moral relativism, and consequences through engaging narratives. In some well written Thrillers, they often have you sympathizing with the protagonist at least once, right!
    4. Processing anxiety through controlled fictional danger – Thriller readers experience a form of “exposure therapy”, confronting fears in a safe context that could build emotional resilience.
    5. Identity exploration through character journeys – Even seemingly simple narratives can feature protagonists questioning their life choices, values, and priorities—mirroring our own existential questions.
    6. The validation of emotional experiences – Seeing characters process grief, love, fear, or ambition normalizes these experiences and can give us emotional vocabulary that we otherwise might not have.

    Thrillers and Romance: Making Our World a Better Place

    The importance of diverse reading habits in broadening worldviews and empathy:

    Reality testing through multiple perspectives – Engaging with diverse texts helps readers understand that their own worldview represents just ONE of many valid interpretations, creating intellectual HUMILITY that improves communication between us all!

    Tricking the Brain!

    York University did a study that demonstrated that reading fiction featuring diverse perspectives trigger “mirror neurons” and “empathy centers” in the brain, increasing the ability to recognize others’ emotional states.

    The “narrative transportation” effect amplified – When readers encounter characters from backgrounds different from their own, they experience deeper understanding of the narrative, resulting in more significant attitude shifts that remain for months after reading

    “Bias reduction” through counter-typical representations – Research from the University of Toronto’s study “showed that readers exposed to nuanced characters from marginalized groups showed measurable reductions in bias scores compared to control groups.”

    Cultural Competence- Readers who engage with multi-genre literature demonstrate increased ability to navigate cross-cultural interactions in professional and personal contexts, recognizing nuanced social cues they previously missed.

    Expanded moral circle development – Diverse reading gradually extends readers’ “circle of moral concern” to include groups previously considered distant or different, influencing real-world ethical decision-making.

    All to say….

    Reading fiction, nonfiction and novels… or really reading anything at all, gives us a Sudo experience of living a cultured, diverse life. Our local library has a sign that says: “A reader has lived many lives”. But I never considered this to be psychologically true! How cool is it, that our brains can be hacked or tricked into being more diverse and understanding of things we actually never really encountered.

    Check out these Links of some recommended Beach Reads and Thrillers!

    Amazon.com : Top thriller book

    Amazon.com : Top romantic books