Reading is a key aspect of all of our lives, despite whether we enjoy it or not. For me personally, I have loved reading from a young age, and my love of it has only grown as I've gotten older. I know not everyone is this way, but the truth is, as nerdy as this sounds, reading is one of the best forms of getting rid of stress, and as exams and other deadlines approach, I think a little bit of relaxation is something we all need. So, here are some reasons I think reading is arguably one the best ways to destress, and how it's helped me personally get through midterms and impending finals.

As a college student, it can be really difficult to get excited about reading, I'm more than aware of this feeling. Having to read entire chapters of textbooks in a night, along with supplementary or secondary resources can feel like a long journey you'll never reach the end of.

For me personally, I spent my entire freshman year of college not reading anything but assigned readings, and I can tell you right now, that was a huge mistake. I recently decided to get back into reading something I chose earlier this semester, with Michelle McNamara's posthumous true crime book, "I'll Be Gone In The Dark, and it was one of the greatest ways to relax as midterms began their fast approach and the work was beginning to pile up. Just taking those little bits of time for myself, whether it was between long study sessions or after, really improved my outlook and overall mood.

I'm one of those people who lets stress overflow and overwhelm me, but learning to take small pieces of time for myself helped me value my time both studying and relaxing. Taking the time to tear my eyes away from my glowing laptop screen and to close those big textbooks, and let myself get absorbed into something genuinely enjoyable. I finally wanted to read out of pure interest, a simple pleasure I had so sadly lost for a year. I found my love of reading again, and with it I was able to find something we are always looking for, whether you're a student or a professional, a way to truly and utterly relax.

Studies have shown that reading is an amazing way to relax, probably even better than spending time on your phone or laptop. I'm by no means innocent when it comes to being on my laptop and phone too much--I'm knee deep into an obsession with finding every background ghost in "The Haunting of Hill House" as I write this. However, I noticed I'm much more relaxed and focused when I choose to spend my time reading a book instead of watching a show. It's not only easier for me to want to get back into work, but I genuinely just feel way less stressed and therefore more focused when I start again.

I know not everyone loves reading as much as I do, but there is something out there for everyone. Fiction books have so many genres and subsets that it feels near impossible to explore them all. Nonfiction books help us learn about times or people we may have never known about before or things we never knew about things and people we did know. I know so many people who look to the Bible or other holy books in times of need or stress, and I think whether you agree with that religion or not, it goes to show just how positive of an impact reading can be on our health and mindsets.

There are so many great resources for finding books that will help you step away from whatever's going on, print or otherwise, and I am certain you will find something that catches your eye, and may possibly become your favorite book of all time. So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed, save the binge-watching for later, and take some time to enjoy a great book. Trust me, you'll find yourself feeling more relaxed, and from there more productive than ever before.