Read for Your Health!
By Sara Butler
You probably know that exercise is good for your body, but did you know that reading is good for your mind and your health too? That’s right; a good book can exercise your mind and improve your overall health, all while transporting you to another world through the eyes of the main characters. No matter what kind of books you like to read, here are a few reasons why you should read – for your health!
It’s Stimulating!
Books stimulate your mind and can even slow the progress of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It keeps your brain active and engaged so that it won’t slow down. You can throw in some puzzles or games to keep you sharp, too.
It Reduces Stress!
There are a lot of things in life that can cause stress and how you choose to cope with them can have a big impact on your overall health. Reading is a great way to shrug off some of the stress of the day since it can be so relaxing to lose yourself in a good story. This helps you release tension and become grounded again.
It Increases Knowledge!
You never know when you’re going to need to pull out some interesting facts at a dinner party or when you’re schmoozing with your new boss. When you read, it fills your head with all kind of interesting and new information. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to tackle life’s challenges!
Plus, knowledge is something that no one can ever take away from you. You could be in the direst of circumstances and lose your job, get sick or have money issues, but the knowledge you gain from reading will be with you – always.
Improved Memory
Want your mind to be a steel trap? Well, you better get reading! Reading a good story requires you to recall characters, plots, and various other things that are good for your memory. These memories create new pathways in your brain and strengthen the ones you already have. This can impact your short-term memory and help stabilize your moods, too.
It Improves Critical Thinking!
Have you ever been reading a thrilling book and figured out the bad guy before the author revealed it? If you have, then you put your critical thinking cap on and figured it out. These same critical thinking skills can come in quite handy when analyzing other things in your life.
So, go ahead and pick up that book you’ve wanted to read for awhile and get going for your health!