08 Oct You Want to Keep in Touch with Your Humanity? You Need to Read More Books
Books have always been the companion of the lonely or the independent; the guide to the lost; and the inspiration to the writer. Spanish novelist Carlos Ruiz Zafron once said that “books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside of you.”
Aside from sparking your creativity and providing meaning to your experiences, books were also found to be beneficial for one’s health.
Maybe it’s time to dust off your shelves and grab a book in your next free time.
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Reading Fiction and the Case of Your Health
A study found that there is a strong correlation between reading literature and potential health benefits.
A 2020 study concluded that literature is associated with health-related behaviors, such as lowering odds of early onset of cigarette and alcohol use and a higher likelihood of having two portions of fruit per day.
This conclusion was further supported by a 2024 study, noting that individuals with lower literacy rates are less likely to receive regular preventive health measures, including pap smears, mammograms, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccinations.
One 2022 study also showed that elderly people can benefit from reading, with the study noting that the better the reading habits of the participants are, the better their physical and mental health.
This was further supported by a 2020 study concluding that the more elderly people read, the less likely they are to face cognitive decline.
Students who read are less likely to have increased stress levels, which can help them get quality sleep, according to a 2020 study.
Another positive effect of reading is improving a sense of empathy, according to a 2024 study.
Digital Reader Vs. Physical Copy: Which is Better?
With the emerging trend of the use of digital readers, there has been an ongoing argument about whether e-readers or physical copies of books are better.
Researchers argued that physical copies of books are better when it comes to comprehension. It was found that although digital reading devices allow readers to read faster, they can often hinder memory retention.
The study added that holding the weight of a book and turning its pages creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what people read visually to a specific page.
If digital reading devices help you achieve your reading goals with their accessibility, it should not stop you from using them.
Reading, regardless of how it’s done, can help you maintain active brain function, improve memory, and reduce cognitive decline.
Choosing Better for Yourself
Being better starts with making better decisions, whether it may be about your hobbies or your health.
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Mak, H. W., & Fancourt, D. (2020). Reading for pleasure in childhood and adolescent healthy behaviours: Longitudinal associations using the Millennium Cohort Study. Preventive Medicine, 130, 105889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105889
Shulman, K., Baicker, K., & Mayes, L. (2024). Reading for life-long health. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1401739
Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2022). Effect and mechanism of reading habits on physical and mental health among the elderly: Evidence from China. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1031939
Chang, Y.-H., Wu, I-Chien., & Hsiung, C. A. (2020). Reading Activity Prevents long-term Decline in Cognitive Function in Older people: Evidence from a 14-Year Longitudinal Study. International Psychogeriatrics, 33(1), 1–12. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610220000812
Levine, S. L., Cherrier, S., Holding, A. C., & Koestner, R. (2020). For the love of reading: Recreational reading reduces psychological distress in college students, and autonomous motivation is the key. Journal of American College Health, 70(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1728280
Artushin, H. R. (2024, February 2). The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers | Psychology Today. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/well-read/202402/the-case-for-paper-books-vs-e-readers
