If you have grandchildren, they may be doing summer reading. Did you know that even as adults, there are many benefits to doing our own “summer reading?”
According to Psychology Today, reading is good for our attention span. It improves concentration, which helps us immerse ourselves in the story. Additionally, reading print books has benefits such as less eye strain.
If you prefer reading fiction over nonfiction, it helps to cultivate empathy. When we read fiction, we’re putting ourselves in the shoes of someone else, which translates to empathy in the real world.
Finally, reading is also associated with reducing stress. Our digital devices don’t give our brains enough downtime to process things we are exposed to throughout the day. Reading provides us with an outlet to wind down and process things without being overstimulating.
If you haven’t picked up a book in a while, it can be a bit intimidating to know where to start. However, reading isn’t just limited to books; it can also include articles. If you’re looking to read more articles, there are lots to choose from on the Yurek blog. Your local library is also a great resource for books and reading recommendations.
By Wendy Yurek
