Reading It Does a Body Good Part II

Last week we shared several of the benefits for reading including expanding vocabulary, and exercising your brain. This week we have additional benefits to add.

Read to learn. Education never ends. Everyone can continue to learn through self-directed reading. Whatever you may be interested in, you will most likely be able to find books, journal articles, and online content available. So whether you want to become an expert on the hypnotherapy for childbirth, the American Revolutionary War, or how to build a straw-bale house — the information is out there.

This website is a good place to start to find self-education resources. The site creator says this, “studies are now revealing that over 80% of learning is informal and outside of the classroom. This means that curiosity, passion and self-education are the key factors that determine a person’s education and lifelong success.”

Reading reduces stress. A study done by Mindlab at the University of Sussex supports the idea that reading reduces stress. The study found that subjects needed to read silently for six minutes to slow down the heart rate, ease tension in the muscles, and relax. Also, according to the study, reading “works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea.”

We suggest that everyone at Port Landing at Fife take some time out to read this month. Grab a book, head to your favorite reading spot, and get lost in a different time and place for awhile; it will do your body good.

Read for pleasure. Reading is the perfect way to take a “vacation for the mind” and go exploring — roam ancient cities, navigate worlds beyond the borders of earth, take part in defining moments in history, or forage into the future. Travel world without leaving your armchair. Give yourself the benefit of reading every day.  Next time we will have some book recommendations. Happy reading everyone!