For many of us, there is nothing like getting lost in a good book. Reading allows us to escape from everyday stresses, it is true; But more and more research is uncovering some very real health and wellness benefits. Specifically, a study by the Yale University School of Public Health (USA) and published in the journal Social Science & Medicine concluded that reading books can increase our lifespan . Let’s look at some more benefits.
1. Reading reduces stress
Stress is believed to contribute to around 60% of all illnesses. It can increase the risks of stroke (by 50%) and heart disease (by 40%). Our pace of life makes it almost impossible to eliminate stress completely, but there are things we can do to reduce stress and prevent it from becoming a serious health problem. One of them is reading. According to a 2009 study by the University of Sussex (UK), reading can reduce stress levels by 68%, even more than listening to music or going for a walk . Just 6 minutes of reading – be it a newspaper or a book – reduces heart rate and muscle tension.
2. Reading slows down cognitive decline
As we get older, our brains slow down, and the cognitive tasks that were easy for us – like remembering a name or the floor number of an acquaintance – are not so easy anymore. However, according to several studies, reading could help slow or even prevent cognitive decline. In addition, a study conducted by researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago (USA) and published in the journal Neurology, concluded that reading and other activities that stimulate the mind can delay dementia. Hese findings support those of a previous study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which found that older adults who read, played chess and other activities involved in mental challenge were 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
3. Reading improves sleep
Smartphones or smartphones have become our usual bed companions. What’s wrong with taking a quick look at Facebook before turning off the lights? Well, science confirms that it can wreak havoc on sleep. A 2016 study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine confirmed that using a smartphone just before bed is linked to shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality . This is mainly because the light emitted by the devices reduces the production of melatonin in the brain, a hormone that tells us when to sleep.
4. Reading can improve social skills
Some people see books as a way of escaping the real world and maybe the people who compose it, but science has shown that when it comes to social skills, reading can have its positive points. Thus, a 2013 study published in the journal Science, for example, found that people who read fiction may have a better “theory of mind,” that is, the ability to understand that people’s beliefs, desires, and thoughts. they are different from yours; that is, have more empathy. “What is distinctive about human beings is that we do social exchanges with other people – with friends, with partners, with children – that are not instinctively preprogrammed. Fiction can enhance and enhance our social experience, ”explains Keith Oatley, leader of the work.
5. Reading makes us smarter
Many studies have shown that reading can increase an individual’s vocabulary, which has been linked to increased intelligence. Even better. It seems that the stronger a person’s initial reading skills, the smarter they are. A 2014 study published in the journal Child Development found that children with better reading skills by age 7 scored higher on IQ tests than those with weaker reading skills. Reading causally influences intelligence.
