Introduction
Engaging in reading is not just a simple pastime but rather a
constructive way to stimulate your mind and promote your overall
well-being, mentally and physically. While many acknowledge the
benefits of reading, it is crucial to understand how it positively
impacts mental and emotional health to integrate it effectively into
your daily life.
Last month Statice's branch in Syosset, New York, collaborated with
a local nonprofit Sharing Stories! Like Statice Health
International, Sharing Stories is youth-led. Their mission is to
help impoverished communities in New York, USA, providing
educational resources to children and adolescents. The organization
hosts monthly book drives at various locations throughout Long
Island, collecting books to be distributed to children from 0 to 18
living in the New York City area.
Over the past year Sharing Stories has collected over 900 books for
the Brooklyn Book Bodega, their book distributing partner, and
hosted numerous fundraisers. Statice's Syosset branch and Sharing
Stories joined hands to host a book drive at Syosset High School,
facilitating book donations to empower dozens of individuals living
in nearby underserved neighborhoods.
Mental Health
Reading offers a myriad of ways to uplift cognitive health by
enhancing critical thinking skills along with sparking imagination
through diverse words, themes, and plots. Despite the misconception
that "nothing interests [them]," readers can choose from a variety
of themes and texts, allowing them to escape from their daily
troubles and explore different perspectives, encouraging a unique
perception of the world. The concept of "narrative absorption"
emulates this engaging experience of being engaged in a story,
"providing a pleasurable escape" that enhances overall well-being.
Stress, a prevalent challenge faced by all, can be significantly
reduced through reading, as shown by the University of Sussex who
found that reading, "can reduce one's stress by up to 68%". Moreover
reading has been linked to a decrease in symptoms of depression,
with bibliotherapy, primarily using fiction due to the emphasis on
the importance of perspective, emerging as a valuable treatment
method. This is illustrated by therapeutic bibliotherapy that
focuses on how to lessen the negative impacts faced by those
suffering diagnosed mental health disorders.
There is also developmental bibliotherapy that is used in our
everyday lives, such as in schools, community centers, and even in
our homes to assist children and adults when navigating through
daily challenges. Overall, bibliotherapy is an accessible and simple
treatment for those suffering with mental health conditions or those
who just need guidance through difficult times.
Emotional Health
Beyond mental and emotional benefits, reading also significantly
improves physical health. It has been associated with lower blood
pressure and heart rate, contributing to stress reduction similar to
yoga, without the need for expensive equipment. There is a
well-known phrase that "reading helps you live longer" which may
seem like a hyperbole, but it could not be more true. A study done
by psychologists writing "Social Science and Medicine" Volume 164
tested the effects of reading on adults diagnosed with dementia. The
results showed that readers who were actively reading experienced a
decline in rapid deterioration and surprisingly, a "20% reduction in
mortality compared to those who did not read".
Dementia occurs due to the impairment of cognitive function and
causes symptoms such as memory loss and lack of judgment. Reading
can help one exercise their brain and prevent parts of the brain
that deteriorate when it is affected by dementia. A study done by
Rush University explored reading's effects on dementia, "300 aging
adults were tested over the course of six years, answering questions
about their reading abilities and writing habits starting from
childhood. After the death of each adult in the study, at the
average age of 89, autopsies showed that those who were avid readers
experienced 30% less memory loss and had the least physical signs of
dementia" This study highlights the known fact that cognitive
exercise, especially reading, has the ability to prevent dementia
and even prolong our lifespan.
Conclusion
Rather than viewing reading as an obligation, it's essential to recognize its diverse benefits. Whether you enjoy fiction, history, or science, reading is a versatile activity that not only has the ability to keep you entertained but also impart knowledge, improve physical and mental health, along with diminishing the effects of stressors in your daily life. So, the next time you have a few moments to yourself, or feel stressed, consider reaching for a book to delve into a new world while unknowingly nurturing your body and mind.
Sources
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190527-can-fiction-really-improve-your-mental-health
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/reading-stress-relief
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/alpha-blog-charlie/202309/does-reading-improve-health
https://www.elderwood.com/Blog/post/2019/10/15/how-reading-can-improve-and-prevent-alzheimer-s
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735817302908
https://www.whisperingstories.com/reading-and-its-effects-on-your-emotions/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/bibliotherapy