What are the hidden benefits of reading?

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What are the hidden benefits of reading?

Thanks for asking.

We've all heard that reading builds imagination and vocabulary and helps us learn. But there's more. Research suggests it may even help us live longer.

Really, how is that possible? In 2016, Yale University researchers followed more than 3,600 adults over 50 for 12 years, tracking their reading habits and life expectancy. Their findings were striking. People who regularly read books lived on average nearly two years longer than those who didn't read at all. So what explains this link in practical terms? One key factor is the social emotional power of reading. Raymond Ma, a psychology professor at York University and leading researcher on the topic, says books help us maintain social and emotional skills, especially important as people age and may feel more isolated. As he told Slate, reading trains us to understand emotions, navigate relationships and gain perspective even when we're physically alone. Stories create a sense of presence, ease loneliness and can even spark real world connections like book clubs. Beyond social connection, what else does reading do for us? It helps regulate stress and protect the brain. Reading often puts us into a calm, focused, almost meditative state, which can lower stress, a known factor in healthy aging. On top of that, a 14-year study published in 2020 by the US National Library of Medicine found slower cognitive decline in adults who regularly engage in activities like reading. A psychotherapist Zoe Shaw explained in National Geographic, reading activates multiple brain networks at once, language, memory, attention, imagination, building a cognitive reserve that helps the brain better resist aging. In short, if you're looking for a simple way to care for your mind, and maybe even extend your life, then cracking open a book is a pretty good place to start. There you have it.

Now you know the hidden benefits of reading. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts, and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you really will know for sure.

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