Reading books benefits both our physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime. They begin in early childhood and continue through the senior years.
But what are these benefits?
First, reading stimulates our brain, helping in preventing age-related cognitive decline. Reading every day stimulates our mental activity. Studies have not conclusively proven that reading books can prevent diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease however, they show that those who read and solve math problems daily maintain and improve their cognitive functioning.
It reduces stress. According to a 2009 research, 30 minutes of reading worked just as effectively as humour and yoga in lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and psychological discomfort.
It expands our vocabulary. Researchers have discovered that pupils who start reading books regularly from an early age, develop a large vocabulary over time.
It improves our memory. One of the most significant advantages of frequent reading is that it exercises our brain. Our brain is capable of retaining a large quantity of information, and with each new memory, our brain produces new brain pathways or synapses. Furthermore, it improves our present memory, aids in the recall of short-term memory, and stabilises our mood.
It empowers us to empathise with others. According to studies, persons who read literary fiction have a better understanding of others’ thoughts and ideas. Long-term fiction readers have a more developed set of skills for forming, sustaining, and managing social connections.
Besides these advantages, reading also offers others, like enhancing our analytical thinking skills, improving our focus and concentration, or even refining our writing skills. Because the effects of reading are cumulative, it is especially vital for children to read as much as possible. It is, nevertheless, never too late to begin reaping the many physical and psychological benefits that may be found within the pages of a good book.