Do you want to live older and healthy? Open a book! The Council does not emanate from a library in need of readers, but from science. According to several studies, reading, in addition to nourishing your intellect, would make it possible to improve health, in several ways.
Readers live almost 2 years more than the others
And this observation is not just an impression. In a 2016 study published in Social Science & MedicineYale researchers followed 3,635 adults over 50 for 12 years, readers and not readers. They found that participants who read books for 30 minutes or more per day lived on average 23 months more than non-readers. And this, even after adjustment for variables such as age, sex, education and health.
This beneficial effect on life expectancy also concerned book readers (novels, tests, etc.). And was not as marked in those who only read newspapers or magazines. As if the books seemed to offer particularly effective protection. The idea is beautiful. But why this beneficial effect? The scientists have several hypotheses.
Reading promotes brain health
First explanation: the effect on the brain itself. Reading regularly would maintain the good health of it, on a daily basis.
“Stimulating activities for the mind, such as regular reading, are essential to a healthy routine for the brain”explains Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, behavioral neurologist in his study “Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Revised and Updated”.
“Vast studies have shown that people who read more often can have a lower risk of memory loss or cognitive decline as they get older” he explains.
Indeed, reading can help develop the cognitive reserve, a kind of mental “tampo” which allows the brain to better compensate for aging or injuries.
It is not the only study that argues that reading promotes long -term brain health. Others have also shown that frequent readers had a significantly lower risk of long -term cognitive decline, or developed Alzheimer’s disease about five years later than their less active cognitive peers.
And help you reduce stress
The other advantage of health reading concerns the effects on quality of life. Indeed, while stress can harm mental and physical health, reading is displayed as an activity capable of reducing stress and embellishing your life.
She promotes mindfulness by inviting to slow down and fully immerse herself in the present moment. By immersing herself in the life of the characters, she also develops empathy and enriches emotional conscience, as shown by several research.
Although it is often a lonely activity, reading can also create links through clubs, forums, libraries or meetings around launches of works. A study conducted in 2023 from nearly 20,000 adults in 15 countries has also highlighted its association with a reduction in the risk of depression and loneliness.
In addition, it offers a salutary escape, in particular thanks to the fiction which makes it possible to escape without falling into avoidance. Without a screen, reading is an excellent alternative to relax before sleeping or reducing your digital exposure time. Finally, it provides a real feeling of achievement and objective, whether it is a book or learning something new.
Advice to put more reading in your life
However, in a world where our screens constantly demand our attention, it can be difficult to put your phone and immerse yourself in a book. Do you want to read more in your daily life? Here are some ways to start:
- Set a simple goal. 10 to 20 minutes a day are an excellent starting point. Use a timer or application if necessary;
- Associate reading with another activity: by drinking your coffee, in transport…;
- Always have a book with you. This can help you read a few pages while you are queuing, lunch or take a break at work;
- Make it a social activity. Join a reading club (virtual or face -to -face) to keep yourself responsible and create links. Applications can also encourage you to read more;
- Register at your local library. It is the most economical and practical way to read widely;
- Be constant. As with all habits, consistency is essential. Small regular doses of engagement accumulate over time to promote brain health ”, explains the expert.
On the other hand, don’t wait too long to find the “good” books to read to get started. “”There is no clear evidence of the most beneficial types of reading for brain health; It is therefore advisable to just read what we like ”COnclut the doctor.