Bold claim: Reading may actually help you live longer. But don’t just take it from us. In a recent article from Very Well Health, experts explain, “Reading might be the key to living longer. According to a study from researchers at the Yale University School of Public Health, reading books could reduce mortality by up to 20%. While reading in general can increase lifespan, the survival advantage was significantly higher for book readers than it was for those reading magazines and newspapers.”

For older adults, reading is also about staying sharp. Engaging with stories builds “cognitive reserve” (a type of brain resilience that protects against age-related decline). By making reading a daily habit, you are essentially “future-proofing” your brain and ensuring better memory, as well as improving reasoning skills as you age.

Reading is an Effective Stress Reliever

We live in a high-stress world. Reading acts as a way to healthy “unplug” from daily pressures. In fact, a 2022 study showed that consistent story reading significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in high school students, while simultaneously boosting optimism and happiness.

According to WebMD, “Reading is an excellent method of reducing stress. A 2009 study from Mindlab International at the University of Sussex found that reading was able to reduce stress levels by 68%. That made it more effective than other soothing activities like taking a walk or listening to music.

In general, meditative activities that force you to focus on a single task can reduce stress. Reading has the added benefit of engaging your mind and forcing your brain to be creative so you can imagine the story as you read. Dr. David Lewis, who conducted the 2009 study, explains that reading is “an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness.”

Reading Even Promotes Better Sleep

One of the most immediate health benefits of reading is improved sleep. In the Healthline article, “How Cozying Up with a Good Book Before Bed Might Just Improve Your Rest,” authors note, “A 2021 online study conducted over social media asked 496 participants to read a book in bed before sleeping and 496 participants to not read a book before sleeping. After a week, 42 percent of the readers felt their sleep improved. In contrast, only 28 percent of the non-readers reported better sleep.”

The Sleep Foundation offers these tips to maximize the effectiveness of reading at night:

“To maximize the benefits of reading before bed, consider incorporating these sleep hygiene practices into your bedtime routine.

• Begin and end your bedtime routine at the same time every night.
• Dim the lights and turn down the thermostat at the start of your bedtime routine.
• Do other relaxing activities, such as gentle stretching or taking a warm bath, before settling into bed to read.
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine in the hours leading up to bed.”

The best part of these health benefits? They’re contagious! When kids see their parents reading, they are much more likely to pick up the habit themselves. By creating a family culture of reading, you aren’t just helping kids boost test scores, you are creating a lifetime of better health.

So pick up a great book and get reading!

About Success Won’t Wait

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. To learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, how to donate used children’s books in Delaware, volunteer your time, or host a Used Book Drive please click on the About Us tab above.

And, if your program, school or center needs assistance with books, please Contact Us to learn more. Read now, because success won’t wait!