Instead of a phone – how reading affects the brain and stress

Research shows that regular reading, even for just a few minutes a day, is associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and slower cognitive decline in older age. Neuroimaging data indicate a link between reading and the thickness of brain tissues responsible for language processing and the activity of social cognition networks. Scientists emphasize the observational nature of the studies.

An article on the Cursor Info website summarizes data from several studies on the benefits of reading for mental and cognitive health. Researchers analyzed surveys, long-term observations, and neuroimaging data. Results published in the journal Psychological Medicine indicate a link between regular reading and reduced stress, improved mood, and decreased feelings of loneliness. In one study, over 5,400 cognitively healthy people aged 55 and older were followed for five years: those who read regularly were less likely to develop cognitive impairment. A study of people over 75 published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed a 35% lower risk of developing dementia among frequent readers. In a 14-year study involving nearly 2,000 people over 64, those who read at least once a week experienced slower cognitive decline. It is noted that six minutes of reading was associated with reduced stress levels. Fiction readers showed activity in brain networks related to social cognition. Scientists emphasize the observational nature of the studies and that some data is based on self-reports from participants. Regularity is recommended, not the number of pages.