We all know that reading is crucial to success for today’s top entrepreneurs and business leaders. Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, are just a few examples. But does reading have health benefits too? The answer is a profound YES! Reading is known to activate the mind, offer a new perspective to life and an escape from day to day life. All this contributes to the following health benefits:

1.Combat Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Reading is a form of exercise for the brain. Keeping the mind active helps preserve brain health, especially in your senior years. According to studies, senior citizens who play mentally challenging games and read books are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Also, reading is associated with a reduced risk of getting dementia. Research shows that it does not matter when the individual starts reading, early or late in life. Either way, there’s a slow rate of decline, and so, it is never too late to pick up a good read.

2.Alleviates Stress

According to a study done at the University of Sussex, listening to music alleviates stress levels by 61%, while drinking a cup of coffee does so by 54% followed by 42% if you take a walk. Reading, however, reduces stress levels by a whopping 68%. So, the next time you’re having a rough day, consider taking a few minutes to unwind with a good read.

3.Helps with Sleep

Reading before you go to bed is known to help with sleep, particularly when you make it a night-time ritual.

There’s a number of reasons why reading before you hit the hay is ideal for your sleeping habits. The primary one is the reduction in muscular tension, anxiety and stress associated with reading. Helping you unwind and relax before bed can push aside anxious thoughts, allowing your consciousness to drift off.

In addition, the habitual ritual lets your mind associate the bed and reading with sleep. However, you need to avoid mixing up your habits for the best results. Ensure you switch off your devices as backlit screens hamper the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone).  Also, browsing social media, email or the internet, in general, can keep your mind active and alert, making it harder to fall asleep.

4.Helps Alleviate Depression Symptoms

Since reading is great for your mental health, it also means it’s a good remedy for depression symptoms.

When you are depressed, your mind is often full of negative thoughts. However, if you take some time off to read a good book, your mind will stay focused on something else and won’t be consumed by the thoughts taking you on a downward spiral.

Reading may not tackle the root causes of depression, but it can help you temporarily detach from your issues and regain control. These are just but a few of the many health benefits reading a good book can offer.