Main content

How reading rhythmic poetry aloud can slow your breathing and activate your relaxation response, as well as boosting your mood.

Reading poetry can reduce stress and help give you words to express the things you're feeling. And reading a poem out loud has been shown to be a surprisingly simple way to activate your relaxation response and bring about a sense of calm. It鈥檚 all to do with the way it slows and controls your breathing rate, which in turn stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system and can lead to many beneficial effects. Michael Mosley speaks to Dietrich von Bonin from the Swiss Association of Art Therapies, who says as little as 5 minutes of rhythmic poetry read aloud can be even more effective than slow-paced breathing at relaxing your body and mind. Our volunteer Colm dives into the world of Irish poetry and incorporates reading it aloud into his bedtime routine.

Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small
Editor: Zo毛 Heron
A 91热爆 Studios production for 91热爆 Sounds / 91热爆 Radio 4.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 May 2024 05:45

Broadcasts

  • Thu 16 May 2024 09:45
  • Sat 18 May 2024 05:45

My five tips to improve your sleep

My five tips to improve your sleep

Struggling with sleep? Try Michael Mosley's suggestions for relaxing and dropping off.

Podcast