When was the last time you read a book or a substantial magazine article? If you’re one of the innumerable people who don’t make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out. There are many benefits to reading, besides being fun. Here are a few benefits as to why you should read more in 2019.
Do your reading habits center around tweets, Facebook posts or the directions on an instant food packet? Studies have shown that mental stimulation by reading can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Reading activates the parts of your brain that creates new synapses for memory. Your brain is like any muscle in the body; reading regularly is a great workout to keep it strong and healthy.
Read for Your Brain
Reading not only improves memory but can also improve your vocabulary, articulation, creativity and concentration. When you read a book, all of your attention is focused on the story – you have to remember an array of characters, their ambitions and history, not to mention their story arcs and sub-plots. This is a quite a bit to remember so the fact that your brain can remember these things with relative ease is quite remarkable. Every new memory you create forges new brain pathways (synapses) and strengthens existing ones, which helps with short-term memory. Cool right?
Read for Your Body
Reading also has physical benefits, not just mental. No matter how much stress you have at work, in your personal life or issues faced on a daily basis, it melts away when you lose yourself in a great story; may it be being transported to the busy streets of New York City, the Amazon jungle or the immense worlds of Westeros or Middle Earth. Reading has been shown to lower blood pressure and relieve muscle tension, allowing you to relax. Incorporating a reading routine before bed can improve sleep and lets your body know it’s time to wind down and get some rest.
Read for All It's Benefits
It may prove tricky for some people to get into the habit of reading but if you are around people who do, you’re more likely to do so yourself. Picking out a genre or subject that piques your interest is a great help too. Life’s too short to spend time reading something you have no interest in; if you can’t get into it within the first quarter, start something new.
In an age of technology and information overload, it’s imperative that more and more people understand the benefits of reading. It’s an incredible way to expand the mind.
Contact our Calgary dentists for your next appointment, and bring along your favourite book.
By Clair Chow, Accounts Receivable