Why Reading is So Good for Your Health
The proven benefits of reading mean it's worth enticing the whole family off the screens and into the world of books
Reading benefits your health in all manner of ways, and research shows it even makes you live longer. A Yale University study found book readers lived an average of almost two years longer than those who did not read at all. Plus the earlier you adopt a life-long love of books, the healthier you’ll be, and research tells us we’ll also be happier, less stressed and more caring too – all incredibly good reasons to get everyone in your household away from technology and into some great books.
Start by finding wonderful ways around your home to store physical books, and then create cosy and captivating places to settle in with your latest read.
Start by finding wonderful ways around your home to store physical books, and then create cosy and captivating places to settle in with your latest read.
Get reading: Creating lovely places to sit and read will tempt adults and children alike away from the call of online living and into a book instead.
See more spaces designed for book lovers
See more spaces designed for book lovers
Books have the power to inspire, educate and move you
With feelgood outcomes such as these, why wouldn’t you spend your spare time deeply engrossed in books? Books allow you to walk in another’s shoes, crawl inside their heads and see the world from someone else’s perspective – all things that can’t be achieved as deeply by watching a TV show or movie.
Get reading: A bookshelf such as this can make books the centre of your world, and be an architectural feature in its own right.
With feelgood outcomes such as these, why wouldn’t you spend your spare time deeply engrossed in books? Books allow you to walk in another’s shoes, crawl inside their heads and see the world from someone else’s perspective – all things that can’t be achieved as deeply by watching a TV show or movie.
Get reading: A bookshelf such as this can make books the centre of your world, and be an architectural feature in its own right.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on a dedicated wall make a striking statement that books matter in your house and, by making them the centre of attention, you’re more likely to reach out and grab one.
Books set kids up for success
Can you remember the books you used to read as a child and the wonderful world of escape they created? Conversely, too much screen time has been shown to impair brain structure and function, particularly in the frontal lobe. “Frontal lobe development, in turn, largely determines success in every area of life – from a sense of wellbeing to academic or career success and relationship skills,” writes child psychiatrist and author of Reset Your Child’s Brain Victoria L. Dunckley in Psychology Today.
What child wouldn’t be enticed off their screen and into a book with an escape like this one?
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Can you remember the books you used to read as a child and the wonderful world of escape they created? Conversely, too much screen time has been shown to impair brain structure and function, particularly in the frontal lobe. “Frontal lobe development, in turn, largely determines success in every area of life – from a sense of wellbeing to academic or career success and relationship skills,” writes child psychiatrist and author of Reset Your Child’s Brain Victoria L. Dunckley in Psychology Today.
What child wouldn’t be enticed off their screen and into a book with an escape like this one?
Browse more kids’ room ideas
It’s not that hard to create a magical world for your children – it could be as simple as setting up a teepee, scattering around a few cushions and nestling in a basket of stories; the books will do the rest.
Of course, you’ll need to designate these areas as tech-free zones, so the kids don’t just take their screen in there with them. Screen-time schedules can help, and dedicate the hour prior to bedtime – for you and your kids – to reading.
Of course, you’ll need to designate these areas as tech-free zones, so the kids don’t just take their screen in there with them. Screen-time schedules can help, and dedicate the hour prior to bedtime – for you and your kids – to reading.
Reading makes you a more caring person
Those who make a habit of reading fiction are better at understanding other people, can empathise with them and see the world from their perspective, according to studies by the University of Toronto’s Keith Oatley, and York University’s Raymond Mar. Their conclusions remained the same even after taking into account that more empathetic people might choose to read more novels. The same goes for kids. Mar found the more stories young children had read to them, the more accurately they could discern other people’s intentions.
Get reading: It’s not just children who can escape into a fantasy world by reading. Once you’ve found your reading space, ensure it has lovely light – good enough to read, ambient enough to relax.
Those who make a habit of reading fiction are better at understanding other people, can empathise with them and see the world from their perspective, according to studies by the University of Toronto’s Keith Oatley, and York University’s Raymond Mar. Their conclusions remained the same even after taking into account that more empathetic people might choose to read more novels. The same goes for kids. Mar found the more stories young children had read to them, the more accurately they could discern other people’s intentions.
Get reading: It’s not just children who can escape into a fantasy world by reading. Once you’ve found your reading space, ensure it has lovely light – good enough to read, ambient enough to relax.
Or, if there are areas in your home where there is plenty of natural light, that’s an ideal place to establish your reading zone. You’ll be tempted towards the light and in winter, the warmth.
Reading keeps your brain in shape
A growing number of studies are confirming what we already suspect – brain-stimulating activities such as crosswords, Sudoko and reading help to preserve brain health and keep symptoms of Alzheimer’s at bay in old age. A recent study also found that taking part in activities such as these throughout life – not just once you retire – positively impacts brain health in old age. The more reading you do now, in other words, the better off your brain will be later.
Get reading: Be sure to make your reading space cosy and comfortable. It should have lots of nice soft furnishings, but you want to be able to sit upright enough so you don’t fall asleep.
A growing number of studies are confirming what we already suspect – brain-stimulating activities such as crosswords, Sudoko and reading help to preserve brain health and keep symptoms of Alzheimer’s at bay in old age. A recent study also found that taking part in activities such as these throughout life – not just once you retire – positively impacts brain health in old age. The more reading you do now, in other words, the better off your brain will be later.
Get reading: Be sure to make your reading space cosy and comfortable. It should have lots of nice soft furnishings, but you want to be able to sit upright enough so you don’t fall asleep.
Enhance the appeal of your space with cushions, blankets and throws to lure you in.
Why real books will never die
Why real books will never die
Reading helps you switch off and slow down
Reading for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by up to 68 per cent, according to a University of Sussex study. Researchers increased the stress levels and heart rate of volunteers with a range of tests and exercises, before testing them with a variety of traditional methods of relaxation.
Reading worked best, according to neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, and was a more effective stress reliever than listening to music, having a cup of tea or taking a walk.
“Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation,” says Dr Lewis. “By losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination.”
Get reading: If you’re struggling to find space to put your books, consider fitting bookshelves around an existing window or feature such as a fireplace, and putting cushions in the space for a reading zone.
Reading for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by up to 68 per cent, according to a University of Sussex study. Researchers increased the stress levels and heart rate of volunteers with a range of tests and exercises, before testing them with a variety of traditional methods of relaxation.
Reading worked best, according to neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis, and was a more effective stress reliever than listening to music, having a cup of tea or taking a walk.
“Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation,” says Dr Lewis. “By losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination.”
Get reading: If you’re struggling to find space to put your books, consider fitting bookshelves around an existing window or feature such as a fireplace, and putting cushions in the space for a reading zone.
Built-in bookshelves around a seating area can make for a desirable feature somewhere in your house.
By all means use your e-reader or Kindle if that’s how you like to read, but physical books give your eyes a much-needed break if you’re working in an office, staring at a screen all week.
And if you don’t happen to have a bookshelf or they’re all used up already, how about stacking your books up high for a lovely book tower feature?
Reading for pleasure gives teens a deeper understanding of themselves
A Dalhousie University research study found reading for the joy of it enhances academic performance, social engagement and personal development. “In their pleasure reading, teens gain significant insights into mature relationships, personal values, cultural identity, physical safety and security, aesthetic preferences, and understanding of the physical world, all of which aid teen readers in the transition from childhood to adulthood,” says researcher Vivian Howard.
Get reading: If you’re short on space, consider using the wall of a staircase or space under the stairs to store your books. This is a great use of space and makes for a grand and imposing feature.
A Dalhousie University research study found reading for the joy of it enhances academic performance, social engagement and personal development. “In their pleasure reading, teens gain significant insights into mature relationships, personal values, cultural identity, physical safety and security, aesthetic preferences, and understanding of the physical world, all of which aid teen readers in the transition from childhood to adulthood,” says researcher Vivian Howard.
Get reading: If you’re short on space, consider using the wall of a staircase or space under the stairs to store your books. This is a great use of space and makes for a grand and imposing feature.
Readers are happier and healthier
A Canadian report found that compared with non-readers, readers are much more likely to report that they are in good or excellent health and that they have very good or excellent mental health. Readers are also less likely to feel trapped by their daily routines, and are more likely to report a very strong satisfaction with life.
Get reading: You won’t hang around reading if you don’t have a lovely comfortable chair, so get that right from the start. Invest in a piece that you know you’ll want to spend time in – an ottoman to put your feet up is the perfect addition.
A Canadian report found that compared with non-readers, readers are much more likely to report that they are in good or excellent health and that they have very good or excellent mental health. Readers are also less likely to feel trapped by their daily routines, and are more likely to report a very strong satisfaction with life.
Get reading: You won’t hang around reading if you don’t have a lovely comfortable chair, so get that right from the start. Invest in a piece that you know you’ll want to spend time in – an ottoman to put your feet up is the perfect addition.
Of course you don’t need an entire home library to enjoy your books. One simple bookshelf accompanied by an inviting armchair might be all it takes to lure you into spending a couple of hours reading – and relaxing.
Tell us
Do you have designated reading zones in your home? Tell us about them in the Comments.
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Browse more living room ideas
Do you have designated reading zones in your home? Tell us about them in the Comments.
More
Browse more living room ideas
Reading works the parts of the brain associated with vision, language and associative learning, and is more neurobiologically demanding than processing images and speech on TV or decoding text online. “We are forced to construct, to produce narrative, to imagine,” says Maryanne Wolf, director of the Center for Reading and Language Research at Tufts University in the US. A reading brain is a more complex brain, and that slows down the decline of your memory as you age.