8 Benefits Of Reading Regularly According To Science

Written By:

Written By:

Benefits Of Reading 1

Are you a bookworm? Or would you rather prefer reading tweets and social media updates? We all indulge in reading for various reasons and from various sources. While reading from a digital platform is easy in our chaotic lives, Reading good old printed books can have some great perks. Let’s take a look at some of the scientific benefits of reading.

A love for reading

The smell of old books can make a book lover dive deep into the pages and stay hooked and entertained for a long period of time. Reading can fill your mind with imagination and take you to worlds that you would never see or experience otherwise. It can make you think hard and feel emotions that you’ve never felt before. Such is the allure of reading.

But science has now discovered that there are several physical and mental health benefits of reading. Although you may prefer reading e-books or online, reading printed books can make you a lot happier and healthier.

reading

Did you know that 83% of US adults read printed books along with e-books? Well, whether you love reading classic printed books or their digital versions, there is no denying the fact that reading is the key to self-developmentmentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

In fact, leisure reading can even be beneficial on a personal and professional level, according to a study.

Read: The Power of reading books, how it can influence you?

Scientific benefits of reading

If you are still wondering about making reading your hobby, then here are 8 science-backed reasons for reading more that will make you pick up a book right away:

1. Reading improves your brain connectivity

Recent research has confirmed that reading on a regular basis can actually help to strengthen your mind. A 2014 study has found that reading activates a network of circuits and sends signals to the brain. This complex network becomes better and stronger as our reading skills improve.

Another 2013 study that analyzed the influence of reading a thrilling novel on our brain, found that increasing areas in our brain become more active as tension increases in the story, explains writer Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA.

She adds “Brain scans showed that throughout the reading period and for days afterward, brain connectivity increased, especially in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to physical sensations like movement and pain.”

reading

2. Reading improves your mental health

According to new research by Dr. Robert Freidland, people who read and engage in other mentally stimulating activities like chess are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that reading can help elderly people prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Justin Brown, author and founder of Ideapod, explains “Studies have shown that staying mentally alert can slow the progress of (or possibly even prevent) Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Read: How to Improve Mental Health?

In fact, the National Institute on Aging believes that reading can help the elderly to keep their minds active and engaged even in old age. According to a 2013 study by Rush University Medical Center, individuals who regularly engage in mentally challenging activities like reading are “less likely to develop the plaques, lesions, and tau-protein tangles found in the brains of people with dementia,” says Rebecca.

3. Reading reduces stress

One of the most fascinating benefits of reading is that it helps to reduce stress significantly. According to a 2009 study conducted by Mindlab International at the University of Sussex, reading for as little as 6 minutes can reduce your stress levels up to 68%. Research showed that silently reading for just six minutes can alleviate muscle tension and lower heart rate.

Lead researcher and cognitive neuropsychologist Dr, David Lewis explained “Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation. It really doesn’t matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination.”

He added, “This is more than merely a distraction but an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness.

Read: 11 Holistic Hacks To Reduce Stress And Anxiety

4. Reading helps to cope with depression

Book therapy or bibliotherapy can empower you to effectively deal with anxiety, depression, and grief. According to a 2017 study, book therapy can be a helpful treatment option for moderate depression.

The study found that bibliotherapy is “effective in the reduction of adults’ depressive symptoms in the long-term period, providing an affordable prompt treatment that could reduce further medications.”

The results of the study indicate that reading regularly as a part of book therapy “could play an important role in the treatment of a serious mental health issue.” This is certainly one of the most helpful benefits of reading.

reading

Reading fiction can allow you to temporarily escape your own world and become swept up in the imagined experiences of the characters. And nonfiction self-help books can teach you strategies that may help you manage symptoms” of depression, says Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA.

Read: How to Ask for Help With Depression: 8 Ways To Reach Out & Start Recovering

5. Reading helps you live longer

A study conducted in 2016 showed that reading books regularly can provide you a survival advantage over other people who read other content or are not used to reading books on a daily basis. The researchers stated “Book reading contributed to a survival advantage that was significantly greater than that observed for reading newspapers or magazines.

The research discovered that people who read books for 30 minutes on average every day or finish a chapter per day, had a clear survival advantage over people who are not booking readers. The study paper added “Compared to non-book readers, book readers had a 4-month survival advantage at the point of 80% survival.

Book readers also experienced a 20% reduction in risk of mortality over the 12 years of follow-up compared to non-book readers.”

6. Reading helps you sleep better

A good night’s sleep is one of the benefits of reading. Reading before bedtime on a regular basis can certainly help you sleep better as it signals your brain that it’s time to relax and sleep, according to the experts at Mayo Clinic.

If you want to make reading a regular sleep routine, then it’s better to “choose a print book rather than reading on a screen since the light emitted by your device could keep you awake and lead to other unwanted health outcomes,” explains Rebecca.

Studies have also found that reading can also help children to sleep better. It has been observed that 44% of children who sleep close to a digital screen get 20 minutes less sleep due to its presence. This is where a book can be beneficial for you and your children.

Read: The Hidden Benefits of Reading Before Bed, According to Science

reading

7. Reading makes you empathetic

Reading a good story and getting mentally involved in the life and times of a fictional character can help you relate to others. As you read about your favorite characters facing different circumstances and challenges, your ability to understand and empathize increases.

According to a 2013 Harvard study, individuals who regularly read fictional stories and explore stories with different characters tend to have an enhanced ability to identify and understand the beliefs and feelings of others. “Researchers call this ability the ‘theory of mind,’ a set of skills essential for building, navigating, and maintaining social relationships,” explains Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA.

Although you might not become empathetic immediately after reading a few pages of a book, studies reveal that people who read fiction books over a long period of time have an enhanced ability to empathize and a better theory of mind.

8. Reading boosts happiness

There are several health benefits of reading, but the greatest one of them is increased happiness and satisfaction in life. A recent survey of 1,500 readers across the UK found that over 76% of respondents claimed reading makes them feel good and improves their life.

The scientific analysis also found that people who read books on a daily basis are happier and more satisfied with life.

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of a UK charity The Reading Agency, explains that regular book readers “are on average more satisfied with life, happier, and more likely to feel that the things they do in life are worthwhile.”

Read: Reading Spiritual Books Helps to Lead a Positive and Happy Life

Apart from these, there are some other benefits of reading that you can reap once you start enjoying the pages of your favorite book:

  • Reading helps to improve your general knowledge
  • Reading helps to enhance your vocabulary
  • Reading improves your writing skills
  • Reading enhances your creative thinking skills
  • Reading increases your focus & concentration
  • Reading enhances your memory
  • Reading improves your analytical thinking abilities
  • Reading helps you become more social & better at conversations
  • Reading entertains you and prevents boredom
reading

Reading is important

In today’s tech-driven era, reading has become an underrated activity. However, perhaps this is why it has become crucial that we make reading a habit now more than ever.

We are living in a society with the increasing availability of information… At the same time, the average length of our attention spans is decreasing. Reading is an activity you can engage in to buck this trend. You’ll improve your concentration spans and learn how to be more discerning in the face of so much information,” explains author and entrepreneur Justin Brown.

Reading helps to activate our minds and offers us an escape from the daily grind. This helps to refresh our minds and gain a new perspective on life. Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA, concludes “It’s never too late to begin taking advantage of the many physical and psychological benefits waiting for you in the pages of a good book.”

Now that you know about the benefits of reading, it’s time you pick up your favorite book, sit down and enjoy a good read. You will do yourself a favor.

Read: 7 Reasons why Reading is Meaningful for Children


Benefits Of Reading Regularly pin
Benefits Of Reading Pin
Benefits Reading Pin

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

, ,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Rewriting Your Story: Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Life is like a movie with no script

Sometimes things go off track.

A lost job.A broken heart.A dream that falls apart.

These tough spots may seem like bad chapters.But what if they are the start of your best tale?

They show hidden strengths.They have clues for your growth.Resilience means bending without breaking.

Your story is not done yet.You hold the pen.You can change the plot.

1. The Power of Perspective: Your Pain Isn’t the Whole Story

When life knocks you dow

Up Next

Metacognition: The Key to Better Decision-Making

Metacognition: 3 Keys To Better Decision-Making

Have you ever wondered how you think? Metacognition helps you analyze your thoughts, improving decision-making. Let’s learn more about it!

Navigating above our ordinary thinking by using our rational thinking.

Key points

Metacognition is our thinking about our thinking.

It can help us make better decisions and navigate more easily through life.

Metacognition is the conscious process of being self-aware of the way in which we are thinking.

Up Next

Why Everyone on TikTok Is Lying on the Floor—And You Should Too!

The ‘Floor Time’ Trend Is Taking Over TikTok—Here’s Why You Need to Try It!

I never thought I’d willingly spend time lying on the floor. It’s never been my go-to spot for relaxation—too hard, too cold, too uncomfortable. But lately, TikTok has been buzzing about floor time, a simple wellness trend that’s got people ditching their couches in favor of sprawling out on the ground.

The idea is exactly what it sounds like: you lie down on the floor and just be. Videos under the #floortime hashtag have racked up millions of views, with people claiming it helps them feel more grounded and calm.

At first, it might seem strange. Why choose the floor when you have a perfectly good bed? But you might change your mind after reading the benefits the new TikTok trend has to offer.

A Brief History of Flo

Up Next

Reclaim Focus: Overcome the Pitfalls of Shallow Learning

How To Replace Shallow Learning With Deep Learning ? Ways

Are you struggling to retain what you learn? Do distractions derail your progress? Discover how to replace shallow learning with deep learning and reclaim your focus!

Limit social media, engage deeply, and practice mindfulness to enhance focus.

Key points

Shallow learning reduces attention span and hampers deep learning that requires focus and critical thinking.

Deep learning is focused on problem-solving and connecting various sources of new and existing knowledge.

Counter shallow learning with mindful media use, engaging with long-form content, and promoting deep thinking.

Up Next

7 Secrets to Stop Taking Everything Personally

How to Stop Taking Everything Personally in Simple Ways

Ever had a friend leave your text on read but somehow find the time to post a selfie? Or maybe someone didn’t laugh at your joke, and now you’re questioning your entire personality? Yep, we’ve all been there. It’s ridiculously easy to take things personally, even when deep down, we know the world doesn’t revolve around us (unfortunately).

Figuring out how to stop taking everything personally can feel like an uphill battle, especially when someone’s actions or words leave you feeling hurt or confused. But here’s the thing—most of the time, people’s actions have nothing to do with you. Your friend might just be overwhelmed, that unread message isn’t a personal attack, and maybe—just maybe—your joke wasn’t that bad.

Learning to let go of these thoughts isn’t just good for your mood; it protects your confi

Up Next

Brain Rot Alert! 5 Everyday Habits That Are Messing With Your Mind

Brain Rot Toxic Habits That Are Mess With Your Mind

You open your phone for a quick break, planning to watch just one or two reels. Next thing you know, an hour has passed. Sounds familiar? Let’s explore “brain rotting,” a term used to describe the mental numbness and decline in focus caused by endless scrolling through social media.

For Millennials and Gen Z, social media isn’t just entertainment, it’s a lifestyle. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and meme pages provide instant gratification, keeping us hooked with an endless supply of content. But what’s the cost? Our minds!

Read More Here: 7 Foods That Make You Happy And Chase Away The Blues

Up Next

Contagious Yawning and Empathy: A Fascinating Connection

Contagious Yawning and Empathy: A Fascinating Connection

Ever wondered why you can’t help but yawn when someone else does? Contagious yawning isn’t just about being tired—it’s a phenomenon linked to empathy, revealing just how connected we are to those around us!

KEY POINTS

Contagious yawning may reflect empathy and nonconscious mimicry in social animals.

The mirror neuron system is linked to contagious yawning, empathy, and social behaviors.

Contagious yawning is more common in social species, such as dogs, chimpanzees, and birds.

Contagious yawning refers to the tendency of individuals to yawn