Did You Know Reading Can Help You Live Longer and Other Things?
Reading is one of the most incredible things you can do for your brain.
Did you know that?
While I know everyone learns differently and there are many reasons why reading isn't accessible to everyone (believe me I have like 10 eye deficiencies. The eye therapist laughed when she read the Ophthalmologists note that said I was an avid reader. She said based on my test results, she's surprised I even can) but there is something so powerful about reading.
But I love to do it.
I love getting to dive into a new adventure, a new world, a new life. I love the escape. I love learning new things, new perspectives.
I have this weird thing where I always have a million books on the go. I read so incredibly slow but I just want to start all the books! But I always have at least one fiction and one personal development or non-fiction on the go.
I love reading for fun so it's important that I have a fiction book on the go but I also know how important personal development and continued learning is.
There is so much research on how working your brain can help fight against cognitive decline and so many people and companies and brands have tried to capitalize on that. There are tons of brain training games and apps that can help (trust me I play a few because they are so fun!).
But nothing beats what happens in your brain when you pick up a physical book. There are many ways to digest the contents of the book and while all learning is great learning a little fun fact is that reading a physical book provides you with so much more than other styles of digesting information (including e-books).
When we read e-books or consume audiobooks, etc. we miss out on what's called "spatial navigability." Humans rely on location cues as a way of navigating the world and by reading a physical book you are able to touch the pages and see where they end providing you with more in-depth information.
But no worries, audiobooks are still great!
Reading versus other forms of taking information is provides so many incredible and powerful benefits:
1. It has many incredible benefits for your brain
I touched on one above but reading has so many more brain benefits!
For example, reading actually changes the structure of your brain. Carnegie Mellon did a 6 month daily reading study. Their participants read every day for 6 months and they found that the "volume of white matter in the language area of the brain actually increased."
It also goes as far as preventing age-related cognitive decline decreasing your likelihood of getting dementia. Keeping their brains stimulated is something that centenarians in the Blue Zones do, contributing to their high percentages on cognitive tests, according to research and studies done in the Blue Zones.
2. It can increase your self-awareness and empathy.
This occurs when reading both fiction and non-fiction. Self-help books are a way for us to learn more about ourselves as well as other people. We are social creatures and there will always be a time in our lives where we have to rely on others. Having empathy is one of the most vital traits we can possess in life.
These two traits go hand in hand. We need the self-awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, and actions, which we learn through reading personal development books, in order to be able to understand other thoughts, feelings, and actions. If we have no knowledge of either we will always simply react to what others are saying or doing instead of responding.
3. Reading helps develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Due to reading's ability to boost brain power and improve memory and provide us with new perspectives we are able to sharpen our critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Aside from just understanding yourself and others on a deeper level reading books actually provides you with many answers to many different problems and many different ways of looking at various situations. From these answers, you are better equipped to solving other problems and being able to think through various situations with more depth.
Specifically, when you're reading a lot of different personal development books you are learning new things, exposing yourself to different theories, and you're arguments are strengthened.
Along these lines comes creativity. Creativity is a form of innovation. It's about creating something new or repurposing something old. These ideas are sparked by an ability to think critically and the ability of the brain to create something from nothing based on a vast knowledge of different topics.
So, have I convinced you yet? Have I convinced you to pick up a book and do a little reading? Roughly 33% of high school graduates will not read a single book the rest of their life and roughly 25% of adults won't read even one book this year. Don't let that be you!
Open up a new world and possibilities.
Our main goal in life is to stay alive and live the best life we can. Books can provide incredible life-giving benefits. Our ability to stay alive comes from our brain. Our brain powers the rest of our bodily functions. We should do everything in our power to take care of it!
What's are some of your favourite self-help books?
Looking for other ways to live longer and be mind, body, and soul healthy? Check out my wellness workbook to kickstart or support your wellness journey!
Author
Sarah Hennnessey
Writer, Editor & Educator
Sarah offers a variety of editing, copywriting, blog, podcast & e-book writing, course creation and launching and other virtual assistant services along with business and health related courses and resources.
