My favorite thing to do before bed is reading my book. I love getting engrossed into a story and having a hard time falling asleep because I want to know what is happening next. There are some books that suck you in that make you forget about reality as a whole. Then there are other book that are educational and teach you something that you you may not have known before. Either way, there is a book for anyone and everyone. There are many health benefits to reading and you should think about starting a book for these benefits.
There are different ways to read or hear a book. We have paper copies, e-books and audiobooks. All of these still pose as a benefit because our minds are still imagining and r=creating the worlds we are reading. Paper copies are the most beneficial we are able to retain what we are reading better than e-books. The other thing to note, is that paper copies are better for reading before bed, because you don’t want the blue light from the device which can inhibit you from falling asleep. Our brain also takes 7 days to adjust to reading e-books. The main downfall of e-books is the sense of location in the story. Our brain likes to feel the paper weight of how much is left, but e-books that offer the number of pages left or the percentage left, can help us with the location in the timeline. Last, we have audiobooks and these work our brains just as well as hearing stories from other people. Some people are quick to dismiss these, but our brains still light up while listening to stories. I wouldn’t depend on these for the same benefits as reading, but it is still a workout and is a good alternative for busy times.
Here is a list of health benefits reading can have on us from healthline.com:
- Improves brain connectivity
- Increases your vocabulary and comprehension
- Empowers you to empathize with other people
- Aids in sleep readiness
- Reduces stress
- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
- Fights depression symptoms
- Prevents cognitive decline as you age
- Contributes to a longer life
Another neat thing that can affect our brain is learning a new language. Learning languages helps our brains grow, especially in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. I have heard that one of the best books to read in a foreign language is “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” which some of you may know, is part of my favorite series. I do in fact have the first book in Spanish and German, and may try reading them again to improve my language skills.
The last fun thing, is the importance of reading to children. Reading to children can help their minds grow and encourages them to read more as they grow up. Reading to children will also help their attention span, self-esteem, their vocabulary and their communication skills. These things are very important with children, because their minds still have plasticity and have an easier time growing and adapting.
If you are interested in Young Adult books, here are some of my top choices: Harry Potter series, Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Shaun currently is reading the Witcher series and loves it so far. So, grab a book and start reading.
From Your Life Tutor
-Sam
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books#takeaway
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