This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Part 1 discusses the benefits of reading. Part two will list books that are good for reading.
Is reading for more than just leisure and education? From learning new words to maintaining your mental health, books have it all! A lifetime of benefits can be gained by reading books, both for your physical health and your mental health. The development of these skills begins in early childhood and continues until the end of life. Take some time with your family on President’s Day to read a good book.
Strengthen Your Brain
Uppermost in many people’s thoughts is the brain in decline as we age. Researchers have confirmed with MRI scans that reading involves a complex network of brain circuits and signals. The complexity and strength of those networks also increase as your reading ability matures. In the scans, brain connectivity increased during and for days following reading, illustrating the health benefits of reading regularly.
Vocabulary Builder
Regular reading of books, beginning at a young age, has been found to develop extensive vocabularies in students. Many aspects of your life, from standardized test scores to college admissions and job prospects, can be affected by vocabulary size.
Empathize More Effectively
A single session of reading literary fiction is unlikely to stimulate this feeling, but research shows that long-term fiction readers do tend to develop a better mental model. Reading books can also help us empathize with others, one of their many benefits. Empathy has many benefits, such as reducing stress, improving relationships, and forming moral judgments [1].
Lowered Stress Effects
Reading does release stress in the same way that empathy does. A study found [2] that reading for 30 minutes lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and psychological distress as effectively as yoga and humor. The reduction of stress also reduces depression. After reading about others’ struggles, you don’t see life as so bad. When the stress is lowered or even eliminated, one sleeps better. When feeling stressed, remember to read for pleasure and let the tension melt away.
A study also concluded that people who read more than 3 1/2 hours every week were 23 percent more likely to live longer than those who didn’t read at all. That is only 30 minutes per day. If you want a healthier life now and as you age, these studies show that reading offers many health benefits for people of all ages.
Notes:
- ^https://www.oberlo.com/blog/benefits-of-reading-books#:~:text=Reading%20is%20good%20for%20you,in%20your%20work%20and%20relationships. (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books#aids-sleep (go back ↩)
