Reading is good for your brain
Mental health can affect the way we think, feel, and act. Though there are many ways to improve our mental, reading is inexpensive and can not only improve your mental wellness but your overall quality of life. Reading for pleasure can increase your self-esteem, reduce symptoms of depression, and exercise your brain and make it stronger. So no matter what has you feeling down, take the steps to create a life long healthy habit to help out your mental health. Here are some ways that reading can boost your mental health.
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Reading self-help books can help depression
Self-help books explain the information in a way that’s easy to understanding and help people feel less alone in their struggles. It reduces the stigma by addressing myths of mental illness so that people don’t feel ashamed about their illness. Most importantly they show that there is hope. When a self-help book details someone’s personal story it shows that you can move through depression successfully.
Helps you sleep better
Reading helps you wind down and relax. This is because when your reading your mind is distracted from daily stresses and worries. Books give your mind the option to be somewhere else for a while. So creating a bedtime routine where you read a few chapters from a book, not an e-reader will help you sleep better. E-readers like kindles, nooks, or iPads have a bright screen that keeps your more brain awake and makes it harder for you to fall asleep. So what swap your smartphone, TV, or laptop for a book and relax before bedtime.
Boost your Memory
Reading exercises and enhances the memory muscle in your brain. Because when your reading you’re forced to be alert, remember small details, pay attention, and follow a string of word for hours at a time. So give your memory a boost by reading daily so you stop forgetting where you put your keys.
Makes Your brain stronger & fights Alzheimer’s Disease
As we age, our brains slow down. And the cognitive task we may have once found easy become more challenging. Keeping your mind active and working is the best way to keep your mind strong and active. So if your reading at least an hour every day you are reducing the chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
Makes you more empathetic towards others
Being able to empathize with others and understand difficult emotions is an important skill to have. As we read we relate and learn with the characters, which helps us understand the different ways of life. Encourage children to read at a young age so they can grow to understand the world and the people around them healthily and positively.
Reading makes you smarter
Reading helps your brain grow. It introduces you to new words which grow your vocabulary. And with a larger vocabulary the more words you have available to use in everyday conversation. It boosts your analytical and critical thinking skills. And as a result, you have greater general knowledge and can spot patterns easier. It also increases your ability to focus, so boost your brain by reading daily.
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All great reasons to make reading a regular past time. I have also found that reading really improves my mood and allows me to escape reality for a bit when things aren’t going well. Our family has been reading daily for the last few months and it’s been great – especially for my son and husband who used to rarely read, now they look forward to that time each day.
That’s great!:D
I feel the same way. When I have a bad day reading always brings me joy.
Hi Angela Louise,
Great article to get people to understand the many benefits of reading.
Mainly, because cognitive function begins to decline in the mid-twenties.
So reading is definitely one way to keep your brain healthy and active as slow down or even cease that process.
Thank you! 😀
I used to read way more than I do now, this post made me want to pick up a book again! Thanks!
Same here I’ve been in a reading funk for a while but, I’ve gotten out of it recently.
Reading is my number one choice for relaxation and enjoyment. I completely agree that reading improves mental health. It gives me something else to think about without any stress.
Me too! I’d rather read a book than watch TV or browse social media. It’s so relaxing to sit down with a good book and a cup of tea after a busy day.
It makes me sad because I can’t read when I’m struggling with my mental health because I can’t focus on it, even though I know it would probably help. I do enjoy reading in general, though, and all of these are just more incentives to do so. When I’m feeling okay, I feel like reading is a great use of my time rather than scrolling through social media or just sitting watching TV. There’s just something lovely about it. Great post!
Thank you! When I’m really in a funk I find it hard to read a physical book because I can’t focus and end up getting distracted. One thing that I’ve tried out is listening to audio books while I walk outside or on a treadmill. It’s been helpful with shifting my focus and improving my mood. And I agree with you reading is definitely better than scrolling through social media or watching TV.
I always find that when I read a book before bed I fall asleep better, versus the nights where I am on my phone right before bed. I definitely find it harder to rest my mind if I am on my phone right before going to sleep. I enjoyed reading this! 🙂
Thank you! Me too, I’ve been trying to reduce my screen time lately. So I’ve been reading a few chapters of a book before bed instead of playing on my phone. I’ve been sleeping better and having an easier time winding down at night.
I find when my anxiety is bad it’s hard for me to concentrate. So I go for a really fast walk to get my heart pumping, then I’ll lay and rest then read, and then I can easily fall asleep. Great tips from your post
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the article. That’s great your able to find relief from overwhelming anxiety in getting your heart pumping and reading. Exercise and reading together is a great way to shift your focus.