A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.

George R.R Martin

On top of being able to delve into an adventure in between the pages of a good book, reading has many other benefits!

It exercises your brain – When reading a story, your brain is forced to try and remember multiple things… for example, you may need to remember the names of multiple characters, where they came from, what their background is and what their relationship is with the other characters… as well as remembering the main plot line, various settings and so much more. This is a great way to help improve memory function.

Builds vocabulary – Research has found that those who read from a young age, and continue to do so into adulthood, gradually develop a larger vocabulary than those who do not read. This can be beneficial when writing academic reports, applying for jobs and much more! Reading is a great way to be introduced to new words, learned in context.

Reduces stress – Studies have found that reading for just 30 minutes can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and feelings of distress, just as much as yoga can.

Can improve sleep – It can be very beneficial to incorporate reading into your nighttime routine. By setting down your phone and spending 30-60 minutes reading, you are teaching your brain that now is the time to quiet down and rest. Doctors suggest that if you struggle with falling asleep, it may be best to read a paper copy of a book, rather than reading on a screen. They also suggest reading somewhere other than in your bed.

Bypass the binge watching – Many TV shows and movies are based off of books… so why not enjoy the tale directly from the source?
While there is nothing wrong with the occasional binge-watching session, we should really try to limit these down and use them as a treat from time-to-time. Constant binge-watching, especially at a young age, can have a negative impact on our brain development as well as on our mental health… so why not binge-read from time to time instead!

These are just some of the many benefits that reading can have, you can find more here:

HealthLine – Benefits of Reading Books: How it can positively affect your life.

Markham Public Library – Top 10 Benefits of Reading for All Ages