Regular reading has been linked to lower stress, better mental well being and a reduced risk of cognitive decline, reports EatingWell.
Just a few minutes of reading was linked to less stress
You may not need a long reading session to see a difference. In one survey, six minutes of reading was associated with lower stress levels. More participants also said they turned to books for comfort rather than options such as wine or a hot bath.
Reading habits were linked to physical differences in the brain
The research also looked at the brain itself. Brain imaging showed that adults with greater lifetime exposure to reading had thicker tissue in regions involved in language processing.
A modest reading habit may be enough
The research does not suggest that you need to spend hours reading every day. Even modest but consistent habits, such as reading for a few minutes a day or about a book a week, were associated with positive differences in stress and brain health over time.
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Fiction engages areas linked to social understanding
An imaging study found distinct patterns of brain activity among adults who read more fiction. These patterns appeared in networks associated with social cognition, which includes the ability to understand other people's perspectives.
Regular readers experienced less cognitive decline
More than 5,400 cognitively healthy adults aged 55 and older were included in a study that followed participants for five years. Those who read regularly were less likely to develop cognitive impairment during that period.
Education level did not change the association
Another study followed nearly 2,000 adults over the age of 64 for 14 years. People who read at least once a week showed a slower rate of cognitive decline, regardless of how much formal education they had received.
Frequent readers had a lower risk of dementia
Among adults aged 75 and older, regular reading was associated with a 35 percent lower risk of dementia during a five year study. Four out of 20 frequent readers developed dementia, compared with nine out of 20 people who rarely read.
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Alzheimer's disease was also examined
Another study followed adults aged 65 and older for four and a half years. Regular readers were also found to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease during the follow up period.
Reading was associated with better mental well being
In a survey of people participating in a reading program, nearly three quarters said reading had a positive effect on their mental health and overall well being. More than 40 percent said it helped them feel less alone.
Book clubs may offer older adults social benefits
Reading with other people may provide additional benefits for older adults. A review of several studies on shared reading found improved well being as well as reduced loneliness and social isolation among older participants.
It does not have to be a novel
The observed benefits were not limited to lengthy or demanding books. Magazines and graphic novels were also associated with positive outcomes, suggesting that consistency may matter more than forcing yourself to read books you do not enjoy.
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The findings show associations rather than definite causes
The results come with important limitations. Much of the research is observational, meaning it cannot establish that reading directly causes the reported benefits. Surveys also depend on participants reporting their own experiences, and avid readers may be more likely to participate in reading surveys. However, the researchers noted that similar patterns appeared across several different types of research.
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.