The soothing power of books - 6 Minute English

How can books help us relax and feel more alive during troubled times such as during the coronavirus pandemic? Would reading be one of the best ways to find relief from the pressures of modern life? Neil and Georgina talk about 'bibliotherapy' and teach you related vocabulary along the way in this free English lesson.

This week's question
What is the best-selling book of all time? Is it:
a) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling
b) A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
c) Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
scanning
reading rapidly in order to find specific facts

literature
written works including novels, poetry and plays which are considered to have artistic value

hemisphere
half of a sphere, usually the earth or the brain

coming to life
starting to be activated after a quiet period

scalp
skin under the hair on your head

stimulus
something that encourages activity in people or things

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝟔 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬:
Should we have a bucket list?

The power of crying

Lockdown: Tips for parents coping with kids at home

The importance of handwashing

Shocking facts about electricity

#learnenglish #bbclearningenglish #literature #therapy #bibliotherapy #books

[daleb]

Guys never give up learning English ❤️💪

[kjyoon]

I am Listening to this 6min English just before go to bed. Thanks for BBC

[ThuyNguyen-qkqp]

I love BBC learning English a lots and always waiting for the new lessons every day!

[lilybeth]

Reading is a sensory and an emotional experience as well. Even with an audio book or an ebook, nowadays, our bodies and minds are overwhelmed by positive vibes. First hand experience makes me support bibliotherapy: books have never let me alone. Lucky all those who enjoy the benefits of any kind of readings. Even by a book that disappoints you at the end, you're learning to be more "human." Stay safe 🇮🇹✌️🇬🇧

[duykien]

I really love reading books but I don't have much time so I often wath this. Thank you BBC Learning English

[TheGudsProduction]

Watching YouTube is my stimulus to learn new things.

[yendothihoang]

I love reading fairytales .As reading such stories as the little red riding hood, Cinderella, etc. I feel extremely enthralled. Besides Stories connotes ethical, moral values of previous generations in an intersting way. Didactic way of telling stories make us realize how meaningful our lives are.

[gopukv]

I think reading is a good way to improve our speaking skills especially it helps our vocabulary development. It offers us a soothing effect from our stressed life.

[letsplayroblox]

Yes, the books have a power. It helps us to be more concentrated and also stay focused. There are many positive things about books. Some people enjoy reading books, but i don't. I am jealous of them in a good way. I met people who reads books they are intelligent, smart and creative. Books helps to some people stay calm. But if i read books, i would get stressed out i think. I didn't take to habit like reading books. It's hard to spend a time for reading books for me. Thanks BBC🙂👍

[satwiksakshik]

Books are medicine. Books Play an important role in this world. In this video very useful to others

[jaydenyao]

wow, good to learn new vocabulary here. Such as remedy, scan, skim, scalp, dementia, hemisphere, literature. A remedy is a way of dealing with the situation. For instance, there are is no simple remedy for happiness. Scan equals skim, which means reading a book roughly and quickly. The scalp is the part under the hair on the head. Dementia is a very serious illness of the mind while it happens to the older often. Hemisphere in this 6 minute English refers to a human's half brain. Reading literature will stimulate both left and right hemispheres that activates our minds and help us find relief from the pressures of modern life.

[АнжеликаЛепкина]

In the age of Information we read a lot in our smartphones every day, but reading books is something special. It brings us relief and helps to forget troubles. I personally get quickly involved in reading of an interesting book. And I don’t know why, but I prefer to read in foreign language, in German or in English, than in my own language. Sometimes I feel so exited that I can’t wait till I sit in my cosy chair and start my journey into the world of book.

[jayamohan]

Thanks BBC for your help.
Today's topic is interesting, reading books stimulate reader's mind and make him to handle up and down of life.

[chauthuyvy]

I've never reading literature such as novels or poetry, because I found them quite boring and sleepy. Until I listen to this video which shows me therapeutic effects of those type of works on human brain.
Now I will find the most popular detective books instead of reading self-help ones. 😍

[hib]

I really love to read good books. It's lay good Empact on me. I feel relaxed after reading something new and interesting. It's just like I've got a precious thing in my life. Apart from this I also used to read some interesting articles of newspaper for ameliorate myself.
This 6 Minutes English, from BBC LEARNING ENGLISH is also very helpful for me. Because in this short time period (6 minutes) I learn a more.
Thank you so much for your efforts!

[caiofreitas]

I'm amazed with these episodes. I thank for every member of the BBC's staff, specially to Neil. Hey Neil, I'm going to London next year (if this health crises be overcomed), and would be great share one pint with you in some pub of the city. Greetings, mate!

[ismailozdemir]

I have watched this videos for improving my listenning skill. Thank you BBC for this informative videos.

[finnmg]

love bbc channel from japan. im gonna study a lot!

[amnishkumar]

Listening to the British accent always gives me a soothing feeling even in very depressing times.

[javierbarrios]

Thank you, I like so much BBC Learning English, I'm try to improve my english, and this channel is a wonderful tool