Why is Reading So Good for Your Health?
October is National Book Month, which is a great reminder to put down that electronic device, take a break from social media and video content, and pick up a book! We all tend to fall into the trap of “reading” when in reality, we’re briefly scrolling through stories online, and not really “getting lost in a book.”
We all probably spend more time staring at our phones every day than we do reading a book. And in many ways, that’s really bad for our overall well-being and mental health.
So why is reading so good for your health? Rather than passively consuming content, you are using your brain in a different way to absorb, retain, and enjoy the information. It turns out that the feeling of “getting lost in a book” is good for you in many important ways.
A new article in Psychological Medicine points to the many benefits of reading. Reading a non-fiction book for pleasure is linked to "improved attention, executive function and mental health." In adults, “reading for pleasure helps to lower stress and loneliness and increases empathy and cognitive function.”
Can you remember the last time you read a fictional novel or short story? We all know someone who proudly proclaims to only read non-fiction material, and while there is certainly no harm whatsoever in reading non-fiction, and it certainly is enlightening and enriching, it just doesn’t do the same thing to your brain as when you read fiction.
That’s because when you read fiction books, you are literally giving your brain a workout. It’s mentally challenging to keep track of the characters, imagine what they might look like, and imagine a particular location or activity.
As reported in a recent issue of Medscape, a study found that “older adults who read novels for 8 weeks showed greater improvements in memory performance than a control group working on puzzles. Clinicians can use this insight to target suggestions to patients concerned about age-related memory loss.”
Reading a book alone is linked to helping cope with loneliness and isolation. And visiting your local library and/or joining a book club only amplifies this positive effect. The Detroit Public Library and many other suburban libraries host book clubs. You can also check out Detroit Book Clubs Directory, or Bookmark’D Bookclub to get started. Or head over to Reddit and find a group near you.
For us, reading has also been a great bonding experience. Reading with parents when we were young, going to the library to pick out a special book to read, and then as adults reading a book and sharing opinions and thoughts with friends and family. So put down that screen for a bit, get your kids to do the same, and enjoy all the benefits that come from reading a good book!
Here are some ideas to help you read more:
Go to your local library and get a library card! You’ll have access to free books to borrow and many libraries also offer free digital options allowing you to borrow digital content for your Kindle or iPad. Serious digital readers may wish to consider a reading-specific device. Our friends at Wirecutter offer some top choices to consider.
Do a search for “best fiction” based on year, era, or your special interests. Here’s two good sources to get you started: The Guardian’s Top 100 Novels and Goodreads Greatest Fiction List.
Join a book club. It’s a great way to socialize, meet new people, and encourage you to read on a regular basis.
Start a family book club and read to your kids when they are young! Establishing a love of reading with your young child is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
