There’s nothing quite like diving into a good book. It starts with the discovery of a new author, series or finding something that piques our interest. We crack this newly found treasure open and begin a journey that whisks us to far off places, imaginary and real. Our book-journey can lead us on an adventure, intrigue us, send shivers down our spines and expand our knowledge. Most of us have been told from an early age that reading is good for you. However, if we asked why, it’s often something that we then puzzle at. What are the advantages of reading beyond knowledge, escapism and enjoyment? Are there any? Here are 5 benefits of reading which might surprise you and inspire you to read more in the future.
Why Should You Read?
The pleasure and perks of reading are fantastic – ask any avid book reader. There’s no age limit to enjoying a book. Parents lay the foundation of lifelong enjoyment when they read to children. Schools ensure kids are continuously reading out loud as part of skills development and adults indulge in self-care when they read.
With an e-reader, you can have an ever-expanding library at your fingertips. Services, such as Amazon Prime Reading, mean endless entertainment is on-hand. For those who enjoy the feel and smell of a book, there are new and second-hand book shops to explore. Or a library to borrow from. Reading can be a cheap and easy way of escaping, destressing and relaxing.
5 Psychological Benefits of Reading
Aside from keeping you occupied, science shows that reading improves empathy and creativity. It has also been shown that one of the benefits of reading books is staving off dementia. Here are 5 reasons why reading is good for your mental health and interpersonal relationships.
1. Reading Improves Empathy
In the mid-90s it was discovered that mirror neurons fire in our brains when we perform an action or see one performed by someone else. Their discovery led to a better understanding of the neuroscience of empathy.
One study found that a benefit of reading fiction is that it increases our ability to feel empathy for others. Participants were given either literary fiction or nonfiction reading material and, once done, they were given an empathy test. Those who read fiction proved to have the most empathic response.
Keith Oatley, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Toronto, believes that the most important human characteristic is that our lives are social. He says that reading fiction can augment and help us understand our social experience. This is because when we read, we take a piece of fiction into our minds. Consequently, a piece of consciousness is passed from the author’s mind to our own. Essentially, when we read something, we make it our own and, in doing so, can increase our level of empathy.
2. Reading Grows Agile Thinking
Agile thinking has been shown to be an invaluable skill to develop. This is because greater mental flexibility allows people to better adapt their thoughts and behaviours to evolving situations. Those who are mentally agile are therefore more likely to seek new solutions rather than be led by habit. This has been shown to be key to succeeding in the face of adversity and change.
A benefit of reading poetry and complex text is that it challenges readers to question meaning. This has been shown to cause fascinating changes to patterns of brain activity. In one study, people were asked to read complex texts. While doing so, their brain scans showed increased activity in key areas of the brain and reflected a heightened literary awareness. This revealed that the sustained experience of reading poems and the appraisal of meaning might increase mental flexibility. As well as better acceptance of new meanings and thereby an enhancement of agile thinking skills.
3. Reading Expands Rationality and Creativity
A study found that, after reading fiction, people have less of a “need for closure”. In this study, participants were asked to read a short story or an essay. Once finished their need for cognitive closure was assessed. The short story readers, when compared to those reading essays, illustrated a significant decrease in their need for cognitive closure. The effect was particularly strong for participants who were habitual readers. Accordingly, this showed that there are benefits of reading every day.
Furthermore, what these findings suggest is that fictional reading could lead to better procedures for the general processing of information. Professor Maja Djikic is a psychologist specialising in the field of personality development at the University of Toronto. She explains that due to the ambiguous nature of fiction, readers are forced to be more accepting of ambiguity. This is believed to be a key factor in creativity. Additionally, when you can entertain multiple perspectives, it’s easier to see new possibilities. Which consequently improves our rational processing.
4. Reading Enhances Brain Connectivity and Cognitive Function
Reading stories have been shown to impact the brain both psychologically and neurologically. A study in which participants’ brains were scanned before, during, and five days after reading a novel found ongoing neurological changes. The results showed that there were changes in the brain’s resting state after participants had finished reading their novel.
The study’s lead, American neuroscientist Professor Gregory Berns, explains this further. He says that despite participants not reading during their brain scan, it showed that they had retained heightened connectivity. This he calls “shadow activity” which is almost like muscle memory. The neural changes found are associated with physical sensation and movement systems. This suggests that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the protagonist.
We already know that a good story can put you into someone’s shoes figuratively. However, this study shows that we are seeing a biological happening as well. Basically, our brain’s connectivity and cognitive function are continually being enhanced when we read. As a result, another of the benefits of reading is that we are exercising our brain. Thereby also improving our mental health and general wellbeing.
5. Reading can help Ward-off Dimentia
Brain-stimulating activities, like reading, have been shown to ward-off mental decline. Another mental health benefit of reading is forestalling dementia and even Alzheimer’s. In fact, research found that older people who read have a 32% lower rate of declining mental abilities. This is because reading has been shown to put our brains into a state similar to meditation. In doing so, reading brings health benefits linked to deep relaxation and inner calm. Regular readers have been shown to have lower stress levels and decreased rates of depression compared to non-readers. Additionally, those who read regularly tend to sleep better and have higher self-esteem.
Self-care and Reading
The physical and mental advantages of reading mean that reading should be regarded as a part of self-care. Thus, not just seen as a good habit which expands our knowledge and transports us to new places. A good reading habit can advantage us throughout our lives. And consequently, could also lead to a better quality of life in our later years. What more motivation does one need to pick up a good book than this?
Mental Health Care
Are you interested in being part of assisting people to access mental health care and thereby better maintain their mental health? If so, look at studying one of the courses in the SACAP Applied Psychology faculty. Courses are available to study full-time, part-time and online. Contact a student advisor to discuss which course is best suited to your career objectives or enrol online today.
FAQ:
1. What are the top benefits of reading?
Reading improves empathy, brain connectivity, creativity and may reduce the risk of dementia.
2. How does reading help mental health?
Reading promotes relaxation, reduces stress and supports emotional regulation and self-awareness.
3. Can reading prevent dementia?
Studies show that regular reading can delay cognitive decline and lower the risk of dementia in older adults.
Related Courses
Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology
Applied Psychology
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling)
Applied Psychology
Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
Applied Psychology
Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
Applied Psychology
