From smartphone apps to streaming TV services, there are endless options for entertainment in today’s digital age. However, the timeless hobby of reading books offers several benefits for physical and mental health that may be lacking with more technologically oriented activities. Designated as National Book Month, October is the perfect time to curl up with a good book and celebrate the simple pleasure of reading.
While doing so, here are a few of the key health benefits of reading to keep in mind:
- Stronger connectivity in the brain. Several studies using MRI scans have confirmed that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain that become stronger and more sophisticated the more you read.
- Reduced stress. A 2009 study measured the effects of yoga, humor, and reading on students undergoing high-stress educational programs in the U.S. The results indicated that reading for just 30 minutes at a time was as effective as practicing yoga or experiencing humor at lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress.
- Bigger vocabulary. Not surprisingly, reading increases your exposure to unfamiliar words in contexts that will help you learn their meaning, thereby expanding your vocabulary.
- Increased ability to empathize. Love reading fiction? Here’s some good news—studies indicate that by delving into the inner worlds of characters, people who read literary fiction display a heightened ability to empathize with the feelings and beliefs of others in real life. This is particularly true for long-term lovers of fiction; they develop what researchers call the “theory of mind,” or a set of skills critical to building and maintaining social relationships.
- Reduced risk of age-related cognitive declines. Although it hasn’t been conclusively shown that reading can prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s, studies suggest that older adults who read and solve math problems every day not only maintain but can even improve their cognitive functioning. The practice keeps your mind engaged, which can help prevent the development of the plaques and lesions found in the brains of people with dementia.
Source: healthline.com
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