How Does Reading Benefit the Brain?
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Reading benefits the brain in numerous ways. It helps to strengthen the connections in the brain and it also benefits the bilateral somatosensory cortex, which is the part of the brain that processes sensory information. Reading material requires thought and consideration. These neurons help to increase new connections, which helps to speed up your ability to process new information.
Preventing Cognitive Decline
Another thing to know about reading is that it is a great way to prevent cognitive decline. Cognition is your ability to learn, as well as your ability to retain information and make judgments. Attention and memory are most likely to become affected as you age. Scientists believe that age-related decline can be slowed by simply reading books. Reading is associated with a lower risk of dementia as well. Studies have been done, and they have found that intellectual activities help the brain to stay sharp.
Reading Reduces Your Stress Levels
Research has shown time and time again that if you read for just half an hour at a time, this can reduce your emotional stress by a significant amount. Small studies have been done in the past, and they have found that students who read news articles for 30 minutes showed reduced signs of stress, as well as lower blood pressure levels. Studies have concluded that neutral reading, or reading that does not elicit emotional solid feelings, helps the body to relax. It also reduces the arousal of sympathetic nerves, which alert the body to stress or danger.
Making You Live Longer
Reading is very beneficial to your health. It has also been linked time and time again to living longer. Studies have been done and they have found that reading books is associated with a 20% reduced risk of mortality. Reading may not be a direct contributor to you living longer, but it is linked to having a healthier lifestyle which can benefit you in more ways than one.
Boosting Memory and Concentration
While the brain isn’t a muscle, it still benefits quite a lot from exercise. It’s similar to how lifting weights helps to make your body stronger. Reading is demanding on a cognitive level, and it can boost your level of concentration. When humans read, they create a mental map of the written text. This helps you process the words you are reading and aids in your recall and memory. If you want to get the most significant benefits, then you need to read on a regular basis. If you want a great book that is both gritty and empowering then check out books by Domonique Simone.
So as you can see, reading can benefit your memory and your concentration in a number of ways. It is also indirectly linked to living longer, and it is the best way to prevent cognitive decline. If you want to reap these benefits for yourself today, then make sure you delve into some of the top books that are out there right now. It’s a great way to open up a whole new world for yourself.
