Glasgow Warriors are lending their support to a national reading campaign.
Keep the Heid and Read! is encouraging people of all ages and abilities to read every day to boost their mental health and wellbeing.
The rugby team is working with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) to promote the benefits of taking just a few minutes out every day to read a book.
SLIC is in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
Meanwhile, research shows that reading for six minutes a day can reduce stress by 68 per cent – in people of all ages.
Record holder
Glasgow Warriors club record holder for appearances, Rob Harley, said: “I’m a big reader in my spare time.
“I’ll read both fiction and non-fiction.
"I recently finished The Birthday of the World, which is a collection of short stories by Ursula le Guin, and I love when people recommend me new books to read or topics to explore.
“Reading is a brilliant way to relax as well as discover new ideas, and I find switching off with a book one of the best ways to relax.
“The fact that there’s evidence showing how much reading can benefit your mental health is a definite bonus, and if people can find the time to take as little as six minutes a day to switch off and get your head in a book then it’s well worth it.”
Reading is a brilliant way to relax as well as discover new ideas, and I find switching off with a book one of the best ways to relax.
Rob Harley
A ‘national reading moment’ will be held on 11 May, and an online totaliser is capturing the number of reading minutes pledged that day.
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at SLIC, said: “Reading for pleasure can have a huge impact on our mental health, and that’s why we’re hoping as many people as possible will pledge their support and take part in the national reading moment to see what it could do for their own wellbeing.
“With our local libraries full of great reading material – whether you’re looking for books, comics, poetry or even a recipe book – there’s an abundance of free reading material on our doorsteps, whatever your interests.
“So now is the time to reconnect with your local library services, sign up to pledge just six minutes of reading on 11 May, and then make these healthy habits part of daily life.”
