On the eve of International Book and Copyright Day, we show you 7 ways in which reading strengthens your mental health.
Every April 23, International Book and Copyright Day is celebrated around the world. UNESCO promulgated the celebration in 1995 in honor of the death date of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. That day other authors of great importance were also born or died, such as Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and William Wordsworth.
For this 2022, the unesco selected Guadalajara (Mexico) as the World Book Capital. This title has been granted since 2001 and the designated cities are in charge of carry out activities to promote books and reading.
As part of the International Book and Copyright Day 2022 campaign to promote interest in books, the activities focus on explaining how reading benefits mental health.
7 Ways Reading Benefits Mental Health
As UNESCO points out, the main objective of International Book and Copyright Day 2022 is to promote the habit of reading in the little ones. The intention is not trivial, since there are ways in which reading benefits mental health. Despite this, interest in books has been lost among the new generations, and state plans and programs sometimes reinforce these attitudes.
Never before in the history of mankind has it been so easy to access books and learn to read. Regardless of the deficiencies, education has become universal as a right and a few simple clicks on the screen give access to thousands and thousands of titles of literature, philosophy, psychology, science and others. Here are 7 ways reading benefits your mental health.
1. Strengthens overall mental health
The experts use for decades reading as a complement to the main therapy to treat or control certain mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
In fact, the word «bibliotherapy» is becoming more and more popular, in the context of using books as a therapeutic resource. In children, it can be particularly useful, as there is evidence that reading affects their self-esteem and their psychological well-being.
The depression and anxiety statistics in the general population they have reached worrying levels and have shown particular growth among children and young people. Reading can be a great ally to avoid or reduce these episodes. Without a doubt, it is an initial reason to celebrate International Book and Copyright Day in style this 2022.
2. Can extend life
A study published in Social Science & Medicine in 2016 found that recurrent readers have a longer life in contrast to those who do not have the habit of reading. The experts found that the cognitive benefits translated into a survival advantage of up to an additional 23 months compared to those who only occasionally read magazines and newspapers (and not books).
Through reading, you assimilate basic ideas that you can apply in reality. These can help you make life decisions, either to avoid certain problems or to take advantage of opportunities. All this has a direct impact on your integrity, your health, your psychological well-being and your life in general. For this reason, reading can make you live longer.
3. Promotes brain connectivity
An investigation published in 2018 in Pediatric Act found that brain connectivity increases in children who are assiduous readers. The study population, which included children between 8 and 12 years of age, developed a increased brain connectivity in cognitive, visual, and language control regions in the left hemisphere. The visual, language and processing area is then strengthened against the habit of reading.
But this is not all. The experts found in their research that just as brain connectivity is increased by reading books, this is reduced when young people spend the same time in front of the screen (computers, mobiles, tablets and others).
The contrast is noticeable, so much so that specialists suggest reducing exposure time on screens and replacing it with reading during this crucial stage of development.
4. Increase the level of empathy
Increased empathy is perhaps one of the most unknown ways that reading benefits mental health. Experts have found that reading fiction books (in particular) modifies the level of empathy and always does so in a positive way.
In accordance with other researchers, This benefit translates into a greater social development, improved interpersonal relationships and greater commitment to others.
Empathy is defined as the ability to perceive the emotions and thoughts of others. The theory dictates that the reader connects with the ideals, behavior, and values of certain characters at such a level that they translate all these criteria into their reality. Reading can make you more empathic, both with yourself and with others.
5. May Prevent Cognitive Decline
Although there is no conclusive evidence on this, in part because understanding of these conditions is still incomplete, there is evidence that reading can strengthen the brain against cognitive decline. For example, experts have suggested that cognitive activity in early life (such as that achieved by reading) is associated with a slower decline in cognitive abilities.
Other authors agree in that reading is a type of mental exercise, one that can preserve and improve cognitive functions in healthy adults. In this sense, and despite the fact that more research should be carried out in this regard, reading can be a great ally when it comes to reducing the chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s diseaseamong other conditions.
6. Reduce your stress levels
There is evidence that reading as a habit can reduce your stress levels. Its effects are comparable to those achieved through humor and yoga, and the reduction is achieved on average in just 30 minutes. Reading can be used as a way to calm tension levels, one that can also be consolidated as a hobby in the short and medium term.
7. It favors the development of critical thinking
By last, it’s known that reading is a mediator of critical thinking. Critical thinking is a term that has been present in education programs around the world for decades.
In addition, it is part of the ideal of the citizens of the new generations. alludes to the ability to doubt statements that are taken as true, questioning them on the basis of analysis.
Although only 7 ways in which reading benefits mental health have been pointed out, it has become clear that it is one of the best habits that a person can practice.
The International Book and Copyright Day of this 2022 aims to create spaces for its promotion, where virtual channels have a very important place. Do not stop sharing your impressions and recommendations through social networks with the use of the pad #World day of the book Y #WorldBookDay.
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