Read for Your Health
Health Benefits of Intentional Reading
“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young,” said Maya Angelou, who lived to be 84 years old. While reading has been known to stimulate the imagination and improve literacy, studies have shown that reading is also good for brain development, emotional health, and even cardiovascular health.
Unfortunately, less people are reading books, and it shows in the declining national scores for literacy. A Gallup Poll measuring the percentage of readers in America since the 1960s has found the number of readers declining since 1990, even among college graduates (Jones, 2022). Tests given in 2019–2020 report a decline of 4 points in reading, the lowest in decades (Carillo, 2023).
Reading and Brain Health
Literacy is crucial to brain development and intelligence. Studies have found that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who tend to have less gray matter than wealthy children, can counteract the negative effects of poverty by reading regularly (Sahakian et al. 2023). If the number of readers is decreasing in the US, then so is the general intelligence and overall health.
Reading Good for the Heart
No one questions whether or not reading is good for the brain, but studies have found that it is also good for cardiovascular health. One study found that reading for 30 minutes is just as effective in relieving symptoms of stress as yoga and humor. Reading also lowers blood pressure and heart rate (Rizzolo et al., 2009). It is not necessarily the words in the book, but the practice of sitting and breathing slowly while processing and analyzing the words, akin to meditation.
Develop Empathy
The heart is symbolic of love, compassion, or empathy, and the studies show that reading also develops those virtues as well. Schwanenflugel & Knapp wrote, “Some of the newest research in the field suggests that people who read well-written fiction may come to understand and sympathize with other people more. This could be because good fiction takes us deeply into the experiences and thoughts of others, often people who aren’t at all like us. It challenges our expectations and preconceptions and encourages us to be less judgmental.” (2015) On a more personal note, The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi taught me to be more compassionate and understanding of Muslim refugees and families of Middle Eastern heritage. Primary source books and other great pieces of literature provide a perspective that connects people on their common human struggle.
Does the type of reading matter?
People are constantly reading while they are scrolling through their social media feeds, but there is a difference between light reading and deep reading. Deep reading is more than decoding words. Deep reading is great exercise for the brain and has been shown to increase empathy, as the reader dives deeper and adds reflection, analysis, and personal subtext to what is being read. It also offers writers a way to appreciate all the qualities that make novels fascinating and meaningful — and to tap into his ability to write on a deeper level (Reynolds, 2016). Light reading is scanning headlines, scrolling through social media, or reading list articles that don’t evoke any analytical or critical thought. Any reading is better than not reading at all, but optimal benefits from reading are enjoyed when an individual makes a conscious effort to pause, read, and reflect.
Conclusion
Reading is an ancient practice that is fading away with each generation, but the benefits are undeniable. Though most people process words every day, there is a difference between intentional reading for personal benefit, like a walk to the parked car outside and a mile-long hike. Making a conscious choice to read benefits a reader’s heart, mind, and quality of life.
References
Chang, Y., Wu, I., Siung, C.A . (2021) Reading activity prevents long-term decline in cognitive function
in older people: evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study. International Psychogeriatrics. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/3AE2A49067C17A4140EEBB49F394AACC/S1041610220000812a.pdf/div-class-title-reading-activity-prevents-long-term-decline-in-cognitive-function-in-older-people-evidence-from-a-14-year-longitudinal-study-div.pdf
Jones, J. M. (2022, January 10) Americans reading fewer books than in past. Gallup News.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/388541/americans-reading-fewer-books-past.aspx
Reynolds, S. (2016) What you read matters more than you might think. Psychology Today.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prime-your-gray-cells/201606/what-you-read-matters-more-you-might-think
Rizzolo, D., Zipp, G. P., Stiskal, D., & Simpkins, S. (2009). Stress Management Strategies For Students:
The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress. Journal of College Teaching
& Learning (TLC), 6(8). https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v6i8.1117
