Just read! It doesn’t matter what or how, or at what age
Reading for fun is dying among adults because they have less and less leisure time and more and more digital distractions. What’s even more alarming is the younger generation. A recent study(opens in new window) involving 760 000 15-year-olds across 91 countries revealed that teens’ reading scores have plummeted to their lowest levels this century. A research team from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom analysed evidence across the entire lifespan and found that reading for enjoyment, either solo or with company, delivers wide-ranging benefits, from improving health and well-being to boosting academic performance and lowering the risk of dementia. The findings were presented in the journal ‘Psychological Medicine’(opens in new window).
Lifelong rewards of reading for pleasure
The main evidence was drawn from a study of more than 10 000 young people. The results showed that children who started reading for fun early in life reaped big benefits, including sharper attention, stronger memory, better problem-solving skills, higher academic success, fewer mental health struggles, and healthier habits such as better sleep and less screen time. “Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our well-being,” commented author Barbara Sahakian, professor at the Department of Psychiatry, in a news item(opens in new window). “It’s something we ought to be encouraging from an early age, given the increasing evidence of its benefits, particularly to children, but really, it’s never too late to start, and it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age.” Author Christelle Langley, also a professor in the same department, added: “Given how beneficial reading for pleasure is at a young age, we should be doing everything we can to introduce children and young people to reading. The important thing is to find something they really enjoy – it might be a TV programme or a game – and use this as a way in. Reading comics and graphic novels could also be a helpful introduction as they might be seen as less intimidating, maybe less boring, than novels.” The journal article cites additional longitudinal evidence on associated benefits for older adults. A study of nearly 5 500 adults aged 55 and older revealed those taking part in mentally stimulating activities such as reading were much less likely to develop memory and thinking problems over five years of follow-up. Yet another study found that reading newspapers, magazines and books lowered the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease by 33 %.
The simple power of gathering over books
Reading with others can offer extra benefits beyond reading alone, explained Sahakian. “Shared reading groups and book clubs appear to provide additional benefits through social interaction. They can help people feel less isolated and more connected to others, which has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia. While these clubs can be fun and beneficial at any age, they’re perfect for older people who may be not so mobile – they might not be able to go out as an exercise group or a cycling group, but a reading group is something most people can enjoy.” Isn’t it time you sat down with a must-read classic or a magazine article? Your body – and brain – will thank you!
