Five Ways Reading Can Improve Health and Well-Being

For many of us, there's nothing quite like getting lost in a good book.

Reading can transport us to another world, providing escape from life's everyday stresses, at least temporarily.

But increasingly, researchers are finding that reading may offer some real benefits for health and well-being.

In August, Medical News Today reported on a study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine that claimed reading books could increase lifespan.

Led by researchers from Yale University School of Public Health, the study revealed that adults who reported reading books for more than 3 ½ hours per week were 23 percent less likely to die over 12 years of follow-up, compared with those who did not read books.

While the researchers were unable to pinpoint the precise mechanisms by which reading may boost longevity, they pointed to previous studies that found reading can increase connectivity between brain cells, possibly lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases that can shorten lifespan.

Given that more than 75 percent of American adults have read at least one book in the past year, any reports of the associated health benefits are likely to be welcome news.

If you are in the remaining 25 percent of people who find reading a chore, perhaps learning more about how it could improve health and well-being will encourage you to shun the TV for the library.

1) Reading can reduce stress

Stress is believed to contribute to around 60 percent of all human illness and disease; ...

Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - October 12, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news