We all know that reading is good for us. It can improve brain and memory function and keep your brain operating more effectively as you age. Reading also enhances connectivity in the brain, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves sleep, and has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. However not all of these benefits are created equal across reading platforms. The battle between paper books and e-readers has largely been divided into two camps: those who favor the sentimentality of a paper book versus those who want the practicality and convenience of an e-reader. But now science has stepped in, and in order to reap the greatest health benefits reading has to offer, research sides with paper books.
Brain Function & Memory:
Regular reading improves your brain power and memory function by giving your brain a workout . It may help to slow the process of natural memory and brain function decline that comes with age. According to neuroscientists at Emory University in Atlanta, “reading a gripping novel makes changes in the way the brain connects with different circuits.” Although the changes reading creates in the brain may not be permanent, they can last for at least five days, suggesting that the benefits from reading “last longer than the act itself.” However a study conducted at Norway’s Stavanger University found that recall of a book’s plot after using an e-reader was poorer than with traditional books. Specifically, participants who read a short mystery on a Kindle were significantly worse at remembering the order of events than those who read the same story in paperback. The study suggests that because our sense of touch is not engaged as strongly with an e-reader as it is with a print book, that it does not support mental reconstruction of the story in the same way.
According to the same study at Stavanger University, the brain reads by constructing a mental representation of the text based on the placement of the page in the book and the word on the page. To exercise the brain most effectively from reading and promote memory strength, the tactile experience of a book is very important, for example, thickness of the pages in your hands as you progress through a story. E-readers don’t provide the same visual sense of progress when you’re reading. Although they try to re-create the sensation of flipping a page, the screen is limited to one virtual page at a time, affecting the reader’s sense of control. The inability to control the text physically by flipping back to previous pages, making written notes in the margins or bending the pages all limit the sensory experience of reading and thereby reduce long-term memory of the text.
Sleep & Relaxation:
Reading an old fashioned novel not only improves brain function and memory, but can also improve your sleep. As we increasingly spend more and more of our days in front of screens it’s important to disconnect and relax, especially before bedtime. Reading a paper book can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. The screen of an e-reader does not have that same calming effect and can actually keep you awake longer, disrupting your sleep pattern. “In fact, the blue light emitted by screens on cell phones, computers, televisions and tablets restrain production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for controlling your sleeping and waking cycle, or circadian rhythm. Reducing melatonin makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep,” said Dr. Nick Patel, DO of Pulmonary Care Associates. “In order to reduce the risk of technology inhibiting your sleep cycle, give yourself at least 30 minutes away from your gadgets before you go to bed,” Patel suggests. In addition, some researchers are now advocating for what they call “slow-reading” which is 30-45 minutes of daily reading away from the ever-present distractions of technology. Daily “slow-reading” can engage the brain, reduce stress and improve concentration.
FAQs
We all know that reading is good for us. It can improve brain and memory function and keep your brain operating more effectively as you age. Reading also enhances connectivity in the brain, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves sleep, and has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's.
How to improve brain function and memory? ›
On this page:
- Take care of your physical health.
- Manage high blood pressure.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Be physically active.
- Keep your mind engaged.
- Stay connected with social activities.
- Address physical and mental health problems.
- Understand how medicines can affect the brain.
Stanford University researchers have found that close literary reading in particular gives your brain a workout in multiple complex cognitive functions, while pleasure reading increases blood flow to different areas of the brain.
What happens when you start reading every day? ›
The words that you expose yourself to, gradually and inevitably make their way into your vocabulary and you will notice that you use your new words daily. This assists with articulation and can even aid in your career, allowing you to be perceived as well spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics.
What happens if you read a lot of books? ›
The more you read, the more language you're exposed to, increasing your vocabulary one book at a time. Even better, the more words you learn, the faster you learn new words, and it only takes fifteen minutes of reading a day to see these amazing benefits.
Can reading rewire your brain? ›
Reading is the foundation of all learning
But reading is more than important, it's essential because of the brain rewiring that occurs. Reading makes us more empathetic. It not only exposes us to new perspectives but also changes the way we think about different and complex ideas.
What is the number one food for your brain? ›
Across the board, experts agree that eating leafy greens is essential for overall health, especially for your brain. Some of the green leafy vegetables that you can add to your meals are: Kale.
What three foods are good for memory? ›
Best Foods to Eat for a Memory Boost
- Berries, which are rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, the pigments that give berries color. ...
- Fatty fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ...
- Whole grains, which contain complex carbohydrates, unlike white bread and white flour.
There's no single or “best” food to fight dementia. Eating patterns that include several anti-inflammatory foods may help to prevent or slow dementia. These include leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, beans, and olive oil.
Is watching TV good for your brain? ›
Excessive TV-watching — defined as four or more hours daily — is associated with a greater risk of developing brain-based disorders such as dementia, depression, and Parkinson's disease, a new analysis suggests.
Research suggests reading may help: Ease stress. If worries and other emotional distress keeps you lying awake long past your bedtime, picking up a book could make a difference. Reading for half an hour could provide just as much stress relief as doing yoga or watching comedy videos for the same amount of time.
How to exercise your brain? ›
Here are some good exercises to challenge your brain:
- Learn a new language.
- Socialize with others.
- Try “brain teasers” like crossword puzzles, word finds, word games, etc.
- Switch careers or volunteer.
- Read.
- Keep up on current events.
- Start a new hobby.
- Learn to play an instrument.
You can easily do 30 minutes of reading a day without colossal effort. You don't have to read half of the book at a time to feel improvements, but quality 20 minutes of reading a day can be enough for brain stimulation. It makes sense to set book reading time limits for discipline purposes.
What happens if you read every night? ›
More research shows that reading helps reduce stress and can help you get a better night's sleep. (Some research even shows reading can prevent cognitive decline with age and even help you live longer.) So, in general, it's good to have a love of reading.
What happens when you read 30 minutes a day? ›
Reading 30 minutes a day strengthens your brain.
This was especially true in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that senses movement. The brain was more active and stronger due to the way reading affects it. Similar to scheduling a workout in your day, less is often more.
What does excessive reading do to the brain? ›
Your brain works by constantly creating neuronal connections and storing information, but its capacity has its limits. If you read too much, you can reach a point of information overload where your brain starts working below its normal capacity simply because there is too much data for it to process at once.
Is it good for you to read everyday? ›
The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and they'll inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary. Being articulate and well-spoken is of great help in any profession and knowing that you can speak with self-confidence can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem.
How much reading a day is good for the brain? ›
You don't have to read half of the book at a time to feel improvements, but quality 20 minutes of reading a day can be enough for brain stimulation. It makes sense to set book reading time limits for discipline purposes.
Does reading everyday increase IQ? ›
Not bad going, considering reading is one of the easiest things to do before bed, on a train, or on a lazy Sunday. Reading increases your IQ because it develops new neural pathways in your brain, which means you'll be able to think more clearly and creatively , which is an essential component of intelligence.
We all know that reading is good for us. It can improve brain and memory function and keep your brain operating more effectively as you age. Reading also enhances connectivity in the brain, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves sleep, and has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. However not all of these benefits are created equal across reading platforms. The battle between paper books and e-readers has largely been divided into two camps: those who favor the sentimentality of a paper book versus those who want the practicality and convenience of an e-reader. But now science has stepped in, and in order to reap the greatest health benefits reading has to offer, research sides with paper books.