Why reading is a useful activity for people. Reading helps maintain people’s health.
We have long been told that you need to read a lot to be smart. But reading has some other health benefits .
Ukraine , Ukraingate , 1 , February , 2022 | Lifestyle
Strengthens ligaments in the brain
Reading helps to establish new connections between different parts of the brain. A small study in 2013 showed that reading a novel increases the interaction between the parts of the brain that control speech processing. Reading has caused long-term changes in the bilateral somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that processes sensory information.
Prevents age-related decline in cognitive function
Reading as part of the process of cognition includes the ability to learn, memorize and draw conclusions. Attention and memory are the two aspects of cognitive functioning that are most prone to aging. Scientists believe that reading can reduce the age-related decline in cognitive function. Reading is even associated with a lower risk of senile dementia.
Reduces stress
Just 30 minutes of reading a day can reduce the physical and emotional signs of stress. In the study, after half an hour of reading, the volunteers showed a decrease in physical markers of stress, such as heart rate and blood pressure, compared with those who were before reading. Unfortunately, reading the news today cannot be relaxing. Instead, it is better to choose novels, short stories or other materials.
Longevity
Reading is not only good for brain health, but also for increasing life expectancy. A large 12-year study published in 2017 found that reading books is associated with a 20 percent reduction in the risk of death. Of course, a book alone cannot increase life expectancy, but it is associated with an overall healthy lifestyle and a lower risk of early death.
Improves memory and concentration
Although the brain is not a muscle, it still benefits from exercise. Just as lifting heavy objects makes our body stronger, reading can strengthen memory and concentration. When people read, they create an “imaginary map” of the written text. This card helps to process the words we read, as well as memorize new information.
Source : Ukrgate
