There are one too many reasons—backed by research—that make reading important, which only shows why people should consider picking up a book more often than they do now
Words hold power—it's an idea that many believe as it has always been proven to be true. It has informed people, allowed us to communicate with the world and shaped cultures for millions of years. If mere words can do so much, just imagine how a book can change one individual.
Read to become smarter and healthier
Reading books can make anyone smarter. Improving emotional intelligence, vocabulary skills and analytical thinking can be as easy as flicking through pages of a good book. But apart from enhancing skills, reading books can serve as an exercise for the brain. Fortunately, these days, people have realised the significance of mental health apart from physical health. After all, mental health significantly affects one's physical conditions.
Researchers in 2008 found that consistently reading books and solving math problems play a huge role in improving seniors' cognitive functioning. This only shows how important it is to read books to stimulate the mind as you grow older, as recommended by The National Institute on Aging.
A study in 2009 compared the effects of yoga, humour, and reading on the stress levels of various students in difficult science programs in the United States. The research proved how reading for 30 minutes can appease psychological distress and lower blood pressure and heart rate.
According to research conducted by Yale University, reading is a life-prolonging habit. Turns out, those who read books for up to three and a half hours or more a week survived almost two years longer.
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