Reading Books Can Reduce Mortality By 20%

Daughter: “Mom, I’m bored.”  

Me:  “Grab a book and read!” 

Obviously, I know reading makes us more learned, increasing our vocabulary and conversation skills.  I’ve been ignorant to that fact however that reading books has such positive physical and psychologically effects. 

As part of my daughter’s homework from school, she is to read for at least 30 minutes each evening.  We encourage this to improve her brain connectivity.  

Reading does not just balance our educational sphere, however. The powerful link between our educational sphere and our mental and physical spheres is quite impressive.  

I was astonished to read that a 2016 study published in Social Science & Medicine found reading books can reduce mortality by up to 20%. Twenty percent!!!! 

Why aren’t we talking about this more? We emphasize to our children the importance of reading and now I will stress to my daughter that reading can help us live longer healthier lives.  

Reading helps lessen cognitive decline. Reading is exercise our brains need to keep our minds sharp and aware.  We work out our bodies and we need to work out our brains just as often, making it a priority.  

Reading can also be a stress releasing activity, keeping cortisol levels down.  

People can actually go into a state of meditation while reading.  Meditative reading is when a person is in such a moment that they experience mindfulness while reading.  I don’t believe I’ve ever been in this state, but as someone who meditates, I hope to be able to practice this reading state of mind one day.  

Reading also betters our sleep quality.  I’m guilty of using my phone, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook before I go to sleep.  I definitely know I’m not alone in this.  

A 2020 study published in Nature and Science of Sleep found that using your cell phone for even 30 minutes after turning off the lights results in poor sleep quality.  The blue light emitted by cell phone screens actually restrains the production of melatonin, negatively affecting our sleep-wake cycles.  Getting rid of the phone and iPad before getting into a bed is a great habit for our kids to learn now.  

As a result, poor sleep can be linked to heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression.  

On the contrary, reading relaxes the body by activating our frontal lobe. No wonder I always fall asleep while reading! 

In 2021, researchers studied reading and sleep patterns, finding that reading a book in bed before sleeping let participants to feel improved quality of sleep. 

On My Way to Barnes & Noble

According to a 2022 Gallup poll, Americans read an average of 12 books a year in 2021.  This number was the lowest since 1990, when Gallup began tracking American’s reading habits back.  

My friends, it’s time to put those cell phones down at night.  With all this proven research, I’m ready to find my next book.