Health Benefits Of Reading

Reading is a well-loved favorite for people of all ages, from children to senior citizens, who enjoy creative mental stimulation. Beyond the enjoyment of a captivating fiction story to diving into the works of famous philosophers, for example, reading is a tried and true method of fostering mental well-being that also provides surprising health benefits.

• Comprehension and vocabulary are improved in children.

Children of all ages, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, benefit from being read to and reading books on their own. Reading skills are distinctly enhanced through reading, which can have practical functionality in daily life. The aptitude for language is heightened in babies through reading. It exposes them to more complex words not typically used in everyday conversations, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic. Starting at Kindergarten, academic success is also more likely when children are exposed to reading at a young age.

• Cognitive function is enhanced through reading, regardless of the aging process.

The benefits of increased cognitive skillset extend to both children and adults. Research suggests that a life routinely dedicated to cognitive-focused activities, such as reading from childhood to adulthood, may decrease age-related cognitive decline. In addition, the onset of dementia is slowed down or even prevented thanks to reading and other forms of intellectual stimulation, as discovered by one study.

• Social skills and communication skills benefit from reading.

Books are full of new and ever-changing stimuli that keep our minds continuously revived. Through this continuous exploration of situations and problems common in fiction, we may become more skilled in more precise communication and diplomacy. This enhanced preciseness can be beneficial in cases where our speaking skills are typically under pressure, such as during job interviews or public speeches, thanks to a colorful imagination and top-notch vocabulary.

Self-expression also benefits from continuous reading, especially when it's more complex, such as analyzing our thoughts and feelings to articulate them through conversation.

• Tolerance is encouraged through reading.

Fiction, in particular, often gets inspiration from characters and plots with complex, traumatic, and even controversial natures. For example, this may include life-or-death scenarios in extreme survival situations or a character who has to perform ethically questionable acts to achieve a greater goal.

Exposure to various hardships through reading helps us grasp the realities of life and encourages us to have greater empathy for people during hardships. Reading may help us be more open-minded in navigating through such difficulties and how they may change us long term.

• Reading can improve life longevity.

It was discovered that adults who made book reading a part of their routine were more likely to live an additional two years, according to a study that measured the life capacity of adults who read vs. those who didn't. Additionally, the same study discovered that adults who spent more than 3 hours weekly reading lived longer than those who were not passionate about reading.