Written by: Caitlin Alfonso, LMSW
Calling all bookworms, book bees, book dragons, and everyone in between – yes, that includes you, audio book girlies! Come one, come all, and let’s chat about the benefits of reading for your wellness!
Reading offers physical, emotional, intellectual, and social benefits. Studies have shown that regular reading can increase your lifespan! That makes sense when you learn how your body reacts when engaged in reading – your blood pressure lowers, your stress decreases, and your sleep improves, which is super important because quality sleep is critical for our body’s repair systems.
On an emotional level, we benefit from reading because we enhance our own emotional resilience. For example, if you are reading a book and the main character experiences the tragic loss of their hamster – you might also find yourself feeling sad. This is an empathetic response. You might not have ever had a hamster but in that moment, you feel that character’s grief. These experiences allow us to feel different emotions by connecting with people, cultures, and experiences outside our own. Additionally, books are a great way to relax and breathe. As a result of focusing on a different story, we can take a break from our daily stressors – this, in turn, connects us back to our physical benefits with that decreased heart rate and relaxing and letting go of tension in our muscles.
Reading is also an intellectual workout – meaning it has awesome cognitive benefits. Reading improves our language skills, challenges us to think critically about the unfolding story, and enhances our creativity!
Lastly, reading can offer social benefits. There is often a sense of community within various nooks of the book world. Bookstores often hold events for authors to engage with their readers, and there are online platforms to discuss books and upcoming new releases. Other ways to engage socially through your love of reading include, but are not limited to: joining a book club, swapping books with friends and family, engaging in online platforms that coincide with your reading genre, signing up for book challenges, or attending events at your local library!
So, no matter how you like to read, keep it up! If you aren’t sold on reading as a pastime, consider the benefits and give it another try! Be intentional with reading and start small – maybe read a page a day, or read as part of your night routine, and only pick a book that is a topic YOU like and are drawn to.
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Caitlin Alfonso is a lover of coffee, reading, traveling, and her dog, Remy. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and owner of Acornic Consulting, LLC.