University of Kwazulu-Natal

How To Read More And Why It May Boost Your Mental Health

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how to read more and why it may boost your mental health

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA So many of us want to be avid readers. We may pick up every bestseller that hits the lists, or we may reserve dozens of titles on our library apps, but still with life’s seemingly endless to-do lists, getting past the dedication page... At the end of a long day, it can just feel easier to scroll on our phone than to flip through pages, but if you’re tired of wondering what stories lay behind that book... Need more convincing?

Research shows that reading can reduce stress, improve focus, and even help you sleep better. So, keep reading to learn how to make reading a bigger part of your life. (You’re doing great already!) Reading isn’t just a fun way to entertain yourself or learn about the world. It’s also a natural stress reliever and a good form of self-care. Here are seven ways reading can help benefit both your physical and mental health:

Reading books may have several health benefits. These include strengthening your brain, increasing your ability to empathize, reducing stress, and building your vocabulary. Reading books benefits both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime. They begin in early childhood and continue throughout your lifetime. Here’s how reading books can change your brain — and your body — for the better. Reading involves activity in several parts of the brain, and over time, it may change your brain structure.

One 2020 study found that increased gray matter in the part of the brain called the left superior temporal cortex was associated with better reading performance in children. Gray matter plays a role in cognitive function. Posted March 16, 2022 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan Despite recent controversies over which books should line the shelves of schools and libraries, there is little debate that literature expands the mind. But can the act of reading also improve our mental health and wellbeing? Researchers are investigating the impact of reading experiences and reporting evidence of promising mental and social health benefits.

Whether reading alone or with others, people are finding connection and meaning between the pages, giving their mental health a boost along the way. Now practitioners are exploring new models using the literary arts to support mental health in clinics, classrooms, and communities worldwide. Getting wrapped up in a good book is good for our health. The experience of being immersed or engaged while reading a story is called narrative absorption and serves as more than an innately pleasurable experience—it can also enhance our sense of wellbeing. Researchers believe that mentally transporting ourselves away from our physical surroundings can provide an escape or opportunity for meaningful contemplation. Reading has many positive health benefits.

Reading every day may lead to a longer life, slower cognitive decline, improved sleep, reduced stress, and more. What you are reading does not even matter. It could be a self-help book, a mystery, or a favorite science fiction series. Reading is an accessible activity. It requires no special equipment other than reading material, and you do not need to acquire a membership or subscription to read. You can do it outdoors, indoors, or in the privacy of your home.

Reading might be the key to living longer. According to a 2016 study from researchers at the Yale University School of Public Health, reading books could reduce mortality by up to 20%. While reading in general can increase lifespan, the survival advantage was significantly higher for book readers than it was for those reading magazines and newspapers. Reading fiction, in particular, was found most beneficial. This study found that reading fiction books for at least 30 minutes a day could add an average of two years to readers’ lives. That effect was still present even with controlling factors like sex, wealth, education, and health problems.

The study’s researchers suggest that using your imagination while reading fiction may help keep the mind active, which translates to health benefits conducive to a longer life. Reading more books can significantly boost your mental health by reducing stress levels and improving concentration. It also expands your knowledge through broader perspectives and enhanced vocabulary. Additionally, reading develops empathy by helping you understand others and boosting emotional intelligence. Discover how better writing skills and relatable characters contribute to overall personal growth. Imagine stress as a heavy weight hanging over your head.

It can feel like an invisible force pulling you down, making every day seem harder than it should be. But what if you could lift that weight? Practices such as mindfulness and deep breathing are like the ropes that help you pull up from under this burden. By regularly incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, you can learn to manage stress more effectively, allowing yourself to breathe a bit easier and feel lighter. Concentration is like trying to focus on a single thread in a tangled web of thoughts. It’s easy for that one important thread to get lost among the clutter.

But just as we untangle a web by carefully picking each strand, you can train your mind to stay focused. Techniques such as setting clear goals and breaking tasks into manageable chunks can help improve concentration. Think of it like organizing a bookshelf; once everything is in its place, finding what you need becomes much easier. By working on these areas—reducing stress levels and improving concentration—you’re not just taking care of your mental health; you’re laying the foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life. Related: Best Books Of Philosophy For Beginners | Socrates’ Legacy & More The sun’s out and the water is calling your name.

You start to pack your favorite beach bag: Towels? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Snacks? Absolutely.

What about that book you’ve been meaning to read for the last three months — should you take it with you? Without a doubt, yes. Aside from the entertainment (and Instagram aesthetics) of having a beach read, reading provides greater health benefits than scrolling through social media or an endless binge of funny videos. Here’s what to remember the next time you’re deciding whether to bring along a book or just stick with your phone. Many people read for a much-needed escape, but that’s just where the health benefits of reading begin. When you read, many different brain regions, including the temporal and frontal lobes, are involved.

These parts of the brain help with speech, memory and language comprehension. The more you read, the stronger those networks become, which helps improve brain and memory function. Think of it as a little workout for your brain. “Studies have found a connection between reading books and brain health. In particular, regular reading seems to be a protective factor against cognitive decline and dementia,” says Dr. Ariel Starr, a psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Washington.

“Like learning a new language or solving puzzles, reading is a cognitively stimulating activity.” If you're anything like me, then you already know that reading is so much more than flipping through pages or finishing a chapter before bed. Reading can be thrilling and heart-racing, or calming and tranquil. One book can have you gasping out loud, another can have you pausing to reflect on life, and yet another can make you feel like you've just made a new best friend. It's eye-opening, life-changing, and honestly? Pretty incredible.

Through books, we connect with people and stories we may never meet or experience in real life—and yet somehow, they still find a way to touch our hearts. But here's the plot twist you might not see coming: reading isn’t just good for your soul—it’s good for your health, too. Beyond the joy and escape, science says that daily reading can improve your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. So in this post, we're diving into 11 science-backed benefits of daily reading that prove your favorite hobby might just be the ultimate form of self-care. When you dive into a good book, multiple brain regions light up simultaneously. Your temporal lobe isn't just processing language; your frontal lobe is visualizing scenes, while your cerebellum is actually triggered when reading action sequences.

This synchronized brain activity creates new neural pathways—literally rewiring your brain with every page you turn. What I find most fascinating is how these benefits compound over time. Recent studies tracking readers into their 80s and 90s found that those with lifelong reading habits showed 32% lower rates of cognitive decline compared to non-readers. Wanna feel less like a stress ball? Grab a book! Seriously, just six minutes can drop your stress levels faster than your phone's battery when you forget to charge it.

It's not just about slaying boredom; immersing yourself in stories can help you tackle anxiety and boost your mood, like a mental energy drink. Plus, books spark your empathy—who knew caring about fictional characters could make you more compassionate in real life? And if you stick to a daily habit, you'll boost your brain power and emotional resilience. Curious about how to start, or what to pick? Keep your eyes peeled! Reading offers numerous benefits for your mental health, with studies showing that it can reduce stress levels by up to 68%.

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