7 Surprising Benefits Of Reading You Didn’t Know About

The earliest accounts of written literature that we know of is called “Epic of Gilgamesh” and it is an epic poem that comes from the ancient lands of Mesopotamia. It dates back to 2000 BC. Since then the literary world has blessed us with countless pieces. If not anything else, there sure is choice when it comes to what to read. There is something for everyone – romance, horror, science fiction, historic, fantasy and so on. George R. R. Martin once said “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…The man who never reads lives only one.” And it’s completely true. Books let us escape reality from a while and engulf ourselves into the words and our imaginations. However, it isn’t just fun to read, there are also a ton of health benefits of reading.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…The man who never reads lives only one.”

Benefits of Reading

Since books have existed, people all over the world have been engrossed by them. Most of our time now is spent in front of some form of a digital screen. However, those who still make time to enjoy a book or two, are getting a ton of benefits they never even knew about. Reading isn’t just pleasant, it’s also shaping your brain, your cognitive skills, your imagination, and so much more.

Since books have existed, people all over the world have been engrossed by them

#Good Brain Exercise

Reading is a great form of brain exercise. And yes, even your brain needs some exercise from time to time. When you are reading you have to remember a lot of characters, logically follow the story, react to the story line, and so on. Reading in general stimulates your brain activity, which allows the mind to retain its capacity and power.  This can help slow down mental problems such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s over time.

Reading is a great form of brain exercise

#Entertainment

It’s a great alternative form of entertainment if you are constantly glued to a screen all day. Whether you are just a big TV fan or you have to work in front of the computer all day, it’s nice to take a break from the screens time to time. And what better way to take your eyes off them, and still be entertained than reading a book?

It’s a great alternative form of entertainment

#Better Sleep

Did you know reading can actually help you sleep better? Reading before bed can help prepare you for a good night’s rest. However, this is more effective if you use a print book, rather than a digital one, as the screens of digital readers have the opposite effect.

Did you know reading can actually help you sleep better?

#Build Your Vocabulary

Research going back to as far as the 1960s shows that people who read books on the regular, especially if they began at a young age, develop larger and larger vocabularies over time. And having a good vocabulary can always come in handy. It’s much easier to communicate with people when you have the right words. Plus, reading is one of the more fun ways to enrich your vocabulary.

Having a good vocabulary can always come in handy

#Reduce Stress

If you find your self constantly feeling stressed, then maybe a good book can help you out. Just half an hour of reading can help lower your blood pressure, slow down your heart rate and help with felling of distress and anxiety. So, why not slip in a book in your day, all you need is 30-minutes.

If you find your self constantly feeling stressed, then maybe a good book can help you out

#You’ll Live Longer

A long-term study for a 12-year period found that people who read books actually live an average of two years longer than those who didn’t consume any types of written media. This includes magazines, books, poems and so on. And you don’t need even need to read all that much – around three and a half hours or more every week is more than enough to help you live longer.

People who read books actually live an average of two years longer than those who don’t

#Increase Empathy

Reading can help you relate and understand people much better, making you more emphatic in the process. Literary fiction really puts you in the shoes of other people and helps you see things from their perspective. This helps readers understand what others are thinking by reading about their emotions and reactions. Understanding other people’s mental states is an important life skill that helps to enable the complex social relationships that make up human societies.

Reading can help you relate and understand people much better

These just some benefits of reading you get by enjoying books from time to time. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can think of all the benefits you are getting by just simply enjoying a good book. Win-win!

These just some benefits of reading you get by enjoying books from time to time

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Sources:

• Jenata Dnes ©
• Markham Public Library ©
• Healthline ©
• Lifehack ©
• Real Simple ©
• Everyday Health ©
• Man Writes ©

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