The world’s first novel was published in the 11th century by a Japanese woman Murasaki Shikibu named “The Tale of Genji,” It was a 54-chapter story that depicts courtly seduction.
People, after almost 1000 years, are still engrossed in novels. This is the era of digitization where stories on social media handles appear for 24 hours only, but still, people are following books whenever they want. So what do humans exactly get from reading books? Is it just a mere pleasure, or do real benefits exist beyond just enjoyment? The scientific answer to this is definitely a “Yes.”
Book reading doles both mental and physical health, and the list of benefits can last a more prolonged, you say a lifetime. Book reading benefits begin primarily in childhood and continue through seniority. Here’s a brief discussion on how books can play a pivotal role in mind growth and development.
Reading Strengthens Your Brain
Research has been conducted which indicates that book reading literally changes your thoughts and mind.
Researchers have used MRI scans and confirmed that book reading encompasses complex circuits and signal networks in the brain. As your ability to read matures, these networks get stronger too and become more sophisticated.
Researchers conducted a study in 2013 that measured the effect of reading using functional MRI scans and analyzed the impact of reading a novel on the brain. The participants in the research read the novel “Pompeii,” and they were given nine days. As the story progressed, more and more brain areas lit up with the reading activity.
MRI scans indicated that during the book reading period and afterward, connectivity of the brain increased, especially in the brain part that responds to physical sensations (somatosensory cortex) like movement and pain.
Your Ability To Empathize Increases
Research has been conducted that revealed that book reading helps people understand the feelings and situation of others. Literary fiction stories focusing on character’s inner lives helps people build empathy for others.
This ability is called the “theory of mind,” by researchers and is actually a skills set for constructing, maintaining and navigating social relationships.
Meanwhile researchers also depict that it does not happen with a single session of literary fiction reading. Instead this feeling is sparked by reading fiction in long-terms and helpful for a better-developed theory of mind.
Helps Combat Stress
A study conducted in 2009measured the effects of humor, yoga, and book reading on the levels of stress of students. It was conducted the United States’ demanding health science programs.
The study results that just 30 minutes of book reading can lower your blood pressure, heart beat rate, and psychological distress feelings just similar to yoga and humor.
Researchers stated that a 30 minute of reading activity does not take much time of medical and health science students and at the same time helps reduce their stress created by study pressure. Since the stress level is high in health science program students and they have time constraints too, book reading is the best activity they can pursue just as yoga and humor.
Helps lessen depression symptoms
Sir Roger Scruton, a British philosopher, once wrote,
“Consolation from imaginary things is not an imaginary consolation.”
People are having depression feel isolated and estranged often from everyone else. And this feeling can be lessened by books.
Reading fiction books lets you to escape from negativity and the existing world around you temporarily, and you can become flounced up in the character’s imagined experiences. Similarly, nonfiction books in the self-help genre teach you all the strategies to help you get rid of depression symptoms.
That’s why the Reading Well, a service began by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, which has Books on Prescription program. Here, medical experts recommend self-help books carefully curated by doctors and medical scientists specifically for depression patients.
Better Sleep Quality
Mayo Clinic doctors recommend book reading as part of a sleep routine regularly.
They recommend reading a print book rather than digitized books. It is because the blue light emitted by screen devices could harm your sleep patterns and keep you awake. It can lead you to various unwelcome health outcomes.
Conclusion
Books are best friends when it comes to the mental and physical growth of your body. That is why it is recommended to read the best books available online. We are going to recommend a fascinating Surat to San Francisco book, which is the story of Indian Patels who migrated to the USA and started hospitality services. It’s best to know the history and interesting book to enjoy. Highly recommended. You can read this book on Patel hotel history.
