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The Sanctuary in the Chaos: Reading in Matatus and Mental Well-being   by Fred Wekesa, Counselling Psychologist

                                                                                                                       Introduction

This article is based on the discussions about the image posted in “AFRIKILI BOOK CLUB” WhatsApp group whereby a lady was spotted reading a book in a public transport in Nairobi Kenya.

Public Transport Matatus in Kenyan is more than just a vehicle; it is a cultural phenomenon defined by loud music, vibrant art, and often, chaotic sensory overload. In this environment, a quiet rebellion is taking place: the act of reading a physical book. A recent discourse within a social circle highlighted a peculiar societal stigma where public reading is dismissed by some as merely "attention-seeking" or an "association with bookmarks." However, a deeper psychological analysis suggests that reading in transit is not a performative act, but a critical tool for mental well-being, cognitive grounding, and stress reduction.

The Myth of Performance vs. Psychological Projection

In the WhatsApp group, the conversation began with some reactions to critique labeling public readers as an "attention-seeking association." This reaction is a classic example of what psychologists identify as projection. As noted in the discussion, projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person (Freud, 1936).

When an observer sees someone reading in a matatu, they may feel a subconscious pang of guilt regarding their own time usage or intellectual engagement. To protect their ego from this discomfort, they project the insecurity onto the reader, reframing the reader's genuine activity as "fake" or "performative." By labeling the reader a "snob" or "show-off," the observer validates their own choice to scroll through social media or stare blankly.

Four Core Mental Health Benefits of Transit Reading

Beyond the social stigma, it is essential to understand why the brain craves books in busy spaces. From a psychological perspective, reading in a matatu offers four distinct benefits to mental health:

1. Physiological Stress Reduction (The Biological Reset)

Participants in the conversation rightly identified that reading is used to "reduce stress." This aligns with Bibliotherapy, the use of literature to support mental health. Research indicates that deep reading places the brain in a pleasurable trance-like state, often called "flow." A study by the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, slowing the heartbeat and easing muscle tension more effectively than listening to music or taking a walk (Lewis, 2009). In a loud matatu, the book acts as a physiological anchor, lowering cortisol levels spiked by traffic anxiety.

2. Restoration of Agency (Internal Locus of Control)

Commuting is often viewed as "dead time"—a space where one has little autonomy. Engaging in "doom-scrolling" creates a passive mental state that can increase anxiety and feelings of time scarcity (Sharma et al., 2016). Conversely, reading is an active cognitive choice. It shifts the commuter from a passive victim of traffic to an active agent of their own time. This fosters an Internal Locus of Control, a psychological concept linked to higher resilience and lower rates of depression.

3. Strengthening Selective Attention (Focus Training)

In an era of fragmented attention, the matatu environment—with its visual clutter and audio noise—challenges our ability to focus. Reading a book requires Selective Attention, the cognitive process of filtering out irrelevant sensory information to focus on a single stimulus. By practicing this in a high-distraction environment, the reader is essentially training their "attention muscle," combatting the cognitive fragmentation caused by modern digital multitasking.

4. Enhancing Empathy and Emotional Regulation

While the commute can often trigger frustration or "road rage" toward other drivers or touts, reading fiction activates the brain's networks responsible for Theory of Mind—the ability to understand others' mental states. Immersing oneself in a character's narrative increases empathy and emotional intelligence (Kidd & Castano, 2013). A commuter who reads is likely to arrive at their destination not only calmer but also more empathetic and emotionally regulated than one who has spent the journey fuming over the traffic.

Social Modeling and Cultural Shifts

Finally, the conversation touched on the social impact of public reading: "It informs others that to read a book is possible." According to Social Learning Theory, behavior is learned from the environment through the process of observational learning (Bandura, 1977).

When commuters see others reading, it challenges the norm that the phone is not the only tool for alleviating boredom. It serves as a visual reminder that deep focus is possible, even in public spaces. Far from seeking attention, the public reader inadvertently acts as a positive model, signaling that intellectual engagement is a valid alternative to the digital dopamine loop.

Conclusion

The "sweetness in books" described in the conversation is not a cry for attention, but a pursuit of mental clarity. While cynics may view the matatu reader with suspicion, the act itself is a robust defense against the stress of modern commuting. It is a declaration that one’s mind belongs to oneself, even when one’s body is stuck in traffic.

References

• Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice Hall.

• Freud, A. (1936). The ego and the mechanisms of defense. Hogarth Press.

• Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science, 342(6156), 377-380. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1239918

• Lewis, D. (2009). Galaxy stress research. Mindlab International, Sussex University.

• Sharma, B., Lee, S. S., & Park, H. (2016). The impact of digital addiction on mental health. Journal of Mental Health and Well-being, 4(2), 112-125.