Introduction
Though we live in an era focused on screens and moving pictures, stories are still written in books - a tradition we should all be embracing. Whether you’re an experienced reader or a novice, make sure you’re putting effort into reading as you could be missing out on some surprising health benefits!
That’s right, reading has been proven to improve both your mental and physical health! This is excellent news for anyone that loves getting lost in a fantasy novel, but if you’re not an avid reader, there’s still time to embrace this exciting habit!
Whether you pick up a juicy romance novel or a factual biography, we think it’s a great time to start reading daily. If you’ve been looking for a new 2022 habit, make it your goal to read a book per month this year.
Want to know why reading is so good for your health? Keep on ready to explore the benefits of this educational activity.
Top 6 Health Benefits Of Reading
Here are our favourite benefits of reading. Enjoy and get inspired!
1. Keeps Your Brain Sharp
Many think that the benefits of reading will only work if they read a book a week, but this isn’t true. Even a page or two a day can keep your brain connectivity strong, and it can also help to fight cognitive decline as you get older. Similar to how puzzles keep your mind sharp, reading can also benefit your brain as you age.
2. Prevents Depression And Anxiety
If you suffer from depression and anxiety, you may wish to escape to another world. Researchers have proven that reading a fantasy book does really help those that suffer from these diseases. While a non-fiction book on self-help is often also advised, magical stories are also suitable for taking the stress away from a tough day.
3. Keeps Your Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Low
When you sit down to read a book, your heart rate often drops, and your blood pressure lowers too. This is because reading is a calm, almost meditative, exercise. If you find work stressful and need a hobby that takes you to a quiet place, reading might be the activity for you.
4. Improves Your Sleep
Did you know the blue light from mobile phones and laptop screens actually affects your sleep quality? That hour-long pre-sleep scroll on social media will cause your sleep to be less than satisfactory. If you replace time on your phone with time in a book, you will fall asleep faster, and your quality of sleep will be higher too.
5. Improves Your Relationships With Others
Some scientific studies have also suggested that reading books with character development actually improves our empathy skills. This, in turn, affects our relationships with friends and family, making them more positive as we become more understanding. If you want to know what life is like in someone else’s shoes, pick up a book today!
6. Increases Your Reading Skills
Finally, reading more often makes your reading comprehension better. This feels like an obvious benefit, but it’s still an important one. We read every day of our lives, and it’s a primary way of communication, so why wouldn’t you want your skills to be as good as possible?
Why Is Reading Better Than Watching TV?
While we all love to binge-watch Netflix, sometimes we all need to switch the TV off and spend an evening with a book. It can be tempting to get lost in a new series, especially after a day of work, as this requires minimal brain function. Though this sounds good when you’re tired, reading is a much healthier way to decompress.
We’re not suggesting to stop watching TV forever, but it is a good idea to start this healthy habit by dedicating one evening a week to reading. You could even keep watching TV, but instead of watching it until you doze off, stop and read for 15 to 30 minutes before bed. Once you see the benefits to your sleep schedule and daily life, you’ll never look back!
The Takeaway
When it comes to taking your health and productivity into your own hands, reading is an important skill to embrace. If curling up with a good book sounds dull, you probably haven’t found the genre for you yet! Take some time away from your screen and investigate the world of literary fiction today.
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