Benefits of Reading: What 50 Years of Research Tells Us | Chapterly Blog
Benefits of Reading: What 50 Years of Research Tells Us You have probably heard that reading is good for you. Teachers, parents, and self-help authors have been saying it for decades. But when you look at the actual research, the benefits of reading are far more profound and wide-ranging than the general advice suggests. Reading does not just make you more knowledgeable, though it does that. It structurally changes your brain, reduces your stress levels, increases your empathy, improves your sleep, strengthens your analytical thinking, and, according to one major study, may even help you live longer. This article examines the benefits of reading through the lens of peer-reviewed research, separating established findings from popular claims. If you have ever wanted a science-backed answer to the question of why reading matters, this is it. Cognitive Benefits Reading Strengthens Brain Connectivity A landmark 2013 study at Emory University used fMRI scans to examine brain changes in people who read a novel over nine days. The researchers found increased connectivity in the left temporal cortex, a brain region associated with language processing, for up to five days after the reading period ended. This means reading a book does not just activate your...