What Reading Does To Your Brain

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What Reading Does To Your Brain

Reading Improves Memory, Concentration, and Stress

"Curling up in your favorite armchair, cracking open a book, and diving into a real page-turner offer far more benefits than an entertaining and relaxing way to unwind after a long day. Reading is actually an important health habit for your brain because it improves memory, concentration, and stress, among other big benefits.

The Benefits of Reading Books

From keeping your mind sharp and building empathy to boosting your vocabulary and reducing stress for a better night’s sleep, the benefits of reading may surprise you, whether you like novels or nonfiction books. These benefits can last a lifetime, beginning in early childhood and continuing through the senior years. Here’s a glimpse at how reading books can change your brain — and your body — for the better.

Keep Your Mind Sharp

No doubt you’ve heard the phrase, “Use it or lose it.” If you don’t exercise your body, you’ll likely lose strength, stamina, and endurance. Think of reading as a workout for your brain that literally changes your mind. According to the American Academy of Neurology, the brain-stimulating activities from reading have been shown to slow down cognitive decline in old age with people who participated in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetimes. It also has shown a slower rate of decline in memory and other mental capacities.

Build Empathy and Curiosity

When you get lost in a good read, it gives you the power to build empathy and spike your curiosity. “Reading expands a person’s appreciation toward other life experiences the reader is not personally experiencing, especially when reading topics that are not related to that reader’s job or lifestyle,” says Wade Fish, director of National University’s Graduate School.

“I personally enjoy reading historical accounts. I recently read a book written by author David McCullough about the Wright Brothers and their work to bring about flight. Reading about it makes me more curious about travel and how it has evolved. I also enjoy visiting places where historical events have occurred after reading about them and to ponder the challenges overcome and failures experienced before success was accomplished,” he adds.

Essential Brain Development in Children

The positive effects of reading begin in childhood and play a key role in youngsters’ overall development. According to Jennifer Duffy, graduate school dissertation chair at NU, “Reading is a fundamental skill needed to function in society. Words — spoken and written — are the building blocks by which a child’s mind grows. Reading is not only essential to a child’s verbal and cognitive development, but it also teaches the child to listen, develop new language, and communicate.” She says books also open a child’s imagination into discovering his or her world.

Reading fiction also helps children reach the developmental milestone known as “theory of mind,” the capacity to comprehend that other people hold beliefs and desires that may differ from their own. A study published in Science, a journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, reveals evidence that reading passages of literary fiction (versus nonfiction or popular fiction) enhance readers’ performance on theory of mind tasks..." from the article: Reading Improves Memory, Concentration, and Stress

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