According to a 2009 study conducted by the University of Sussex, only 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Reading has also been found to reduce blood pressure and lower the heart rate, By helping your mind relax, it helps your body relax as well.
It is proven to be more effective than other stimulating factors like watching TV or playing video games. Reading and engaging in mentally challenging activities, like playing puzzle games, helps slow down the cognitive decline in old age. That results in lower chances of Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related neurodegenerative diseases for people who read regularly.
A study from the University of California shows that people with a high literacy level are 4 to 5 times less likely to suffer mental declines with old age. Reading can help alleviate depression. This is especially true when reading fiction, since it can help people temporarily escape their own world and immerse themselves in the adventures Of the characters they read about.
