We lead busy lives and it’s often hard for us to find time in our busy schedules to sit down and devote ourselves to an entire book. However, self-care is important, especially in today’s stressful environment, so here are 7 scientific reasons why reading is actually a way of soothing your mind and soul!
Social inclusion
Spending time in other people’s heads enhances one’s sense of inclusion. Reading books, especially fiction, has shown the increase of empathy and emotional intelligence in regular readers. Developing such social tools can lead to an increase in quality and quantity of human interaction which, in turn, can lower stress levels. All in all, thanks to books, you can become a more successful human.
Brain food
People who keep their mind stimulated from a young age experience a slower mental decline when they grow older, which means reading leads to a happier and healthier life. Read now and you will never have to ask yourself did you turn your oven off or where did you place your keys!
Exercise
Have you ever been to the gym, on a treadmill, staring at a wall? Have you ever tried bringing a book? You should! Apparently, reading a book while exercising helps people maintain motivation to continue when they don’t really feel like it, especially if you’re really into the book. So, reading won’t only score you a healthy mind, but a killer body as well!
Falling asleep
Reading relieves stress and makes it easier for people to fall asleep. So, crack open a book and sleep like a baby - try avoiding page-turners, those could have a completely opposite aftermath.
Less stressful life
All of us deal with stress on a daily basis which means all of us have developed our own coping mechanisms - taking a walk, sipping tea, running, staring at the ceiling. Well, move them to the side because researchers say reading is the ultimate de-stressing method! When life becomes too much for you to handle, books come to the rescue!
Chase your dreams!
In books, good always prevails and characters always fulfil their destiny, which can have a pretty positive effect on a reader who’s emotionally attached to events and characters in the story. Experiencing a character’s uphill battle helps the reader pursue their own life goals. Honestly, is Harry Potter really any better than you?
Alzheimer’s prevention
Studies have shown that elderly people who have actively read are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Even though the thought that reading can cure Alzheimer’s is nice, it wasn’t 100% proven, but do you really want to risk it? Pick up a book that’s been standing on your nightstand and read, read, read!
What are you waiting for? Hit up your local library and start improving your daily life!
