By: Akshay Karthik
You can take fish oil supplements or eat lots of turmeric. You can invest in a language class, puzzle books, or a few hours of exercise every week. There are countless ways to help your memory and cognitive functioning with brain training exercises. Many people resort to medication or complicated prescribed exercises, but the best practice is right before you this whole time: Reading.
Benefits of Reading
Reading strengthens your brain
Using MRI scans, researchers have confirmed that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As your reading ability matures, those networks get stronger and more sophisticated. In one study conducted in 2013, researchers used functional MRI scans to measure the effect of reading a novel on the brain. Study participants read the book Pompeii over nine days. As tension built in the story, more and more brain areas lit up with activity. Brain scans showed that throughout the reading period and for days afterward, brain connectivity increased, especially in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to physical sensations like movement and pain (Healthline, 2020)
Increases your ability to empathize
Research has shown that people who read literary fiction — stories that explore the inner lives of characters — show a heightened ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of others. Researchers call this ability the "theory of mind," a set of skills essential for building, navigating, and maintaining social relationships. While a single session of reading literary fiction isn't likely to spark this feeling, research
Helps prevent age-related cognitive decline
Many certified medical institutions, such as the National Institute on Aging, recommend reading books and other literary media to enrich your brain with tangible information as you age. Although there is no conclusive evidence that this helps in battling horrid diseases such as Alzheimer's, studies show positive benefits for seniors who read and challenge their cognitive abilities daily. It's never too late, but the earlier you start, the better.
While generally, most people with ADHD and ADD view reading as a strenuous and menial task, as it requires an attention span that lasts longer than usual for other activities, it has been shown to have positive effects. It can reduce stress, ADHD and ADD people are often very stressed when it comes to things like school or tests, but it also strengthens your brain at the same time. You can sharpen your vocabulary or improve your attention span. Another reason books have been proven to be exceptional is that, in this day and age, where screen time is prevalent among children, reading books can be shown to reduce ADHD or ADD in a child. The Bangkok international hospital stated, "To prevent ADHD in children, it is suggested that time spent playing video games be limited. If games are allowed, then they should be educational or interactive."
Bibliography
ADHD and the benefits of reading. Bangkok International Hospital. (n.d.). https://www.bangkokinternationalhospital.com/health-articles/disease-treatment/adhd-benefits-of-reading
Berns, G. S., Blaine, K., Prietula, M. J., & Pye, B. E. (2013). Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain. Brain connectivity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3868356/
Stanborough, R. J. (2019, October 15). Benefits of reading books: For your physical and mental health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books#strengthens-the-brain
Comments