Today’s world is fast-paced and it can be difficult to find the time for relaxing activities after a long day of work. But while finding the time to read can be tough, bookworms have an extra advantage over people who don’t read because reading books can actually improve your health. It’s true. Science-backed research shows that reading can boost intelligence and help us to prolong our lives.

As digital technology advances rapidly, a large percentage of books these days are read on digital readers like the Kindle or Nook which is great news since research shows that people who read even just 3 1/2 hours per week can improve their mortality rate by up to 20%.

An e-reader makes books infinitely more portable, which can ultimately help us to read more. But while any type of reading can be beneficial, science shows that reading an actual physical book can offer even greater benefits to a reader’s health by reducing stress, helping you to sleep better, and increasing brainpower, three things that dramatically improve your life.

A Boost in Intelligence and Brainpower

Along with learning about people and places, reading exposes children and adults to a wider range of vocabulary, which can lead to higher scores on intelligence tests. The earlier a child begins to read, the more likely they will have a higher intelligence level in adult life.

But exposure to new things and an increase in vocabulary isn’t the only brain boosting byproduct of reading. Just like the muscles in our body, our brain needs a good quality workout to stay healthy. Contrary to popular belief, our brains don’t stop developing at a certain age. Although our brains only grow to a certain point, new connections continue to develop even as we age so long as we continue to keep our brains active and fit. Reading is one simple activity that can help us forge these connections and gain skills no matter how old we are.

Reading on a regular basis can improve memory, keep our thinking sharp, and lower cognitive decline. In fact, there is evidence that reading can help keep Alzheimer’s at bay since it engages our brain, stimulating it and keeping it active.

Reducing Stress

Bookworms know that there’s nothing more relaxing than the feel of a book in your hand or that fantastic old book smell. And let’s face it, losing yourself in a good book can make all the cares of the world fade away (at least for a time). All your stresses melt away as you engross yourself in the story.

Too much stress can lead to or exacerbate health problems and sometimes even contribute to serious disease. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress levels by up to a whopping 68%.

So reading to relax can help us to live healthier, longer lives by reducing our heart rate, relaxing any tension in our muscles, and (if the book is a really good one) help us to enter into an altered state of consciousness. When we’re fully engrossed in a story, our brainwaves enter into an alpha state which, besides keeping us relaxed, have the additional benefit of increasing creative thinking and reducing the symptoms of depression.

Read to Sleep Better

Every single human being on this big blue planet requires sleep. Sleep helps our bodies to restore, regenerate, and retain memories. After a good night’s sleep, our bodies are refreshed and ready to face a new day.

As we age, falling asleep often becomes more difficult. It doesn’t help that more and more these days most of us get an overdose of exposure to blue light, the light emitted from electronics. Too much light can disrupt our circadian rhythms but blue light is especially harmful and makes it much more difficult to get the shut eye we so desperately need.

Reading a book before falling asleep instead of overdosing on electronic light tells our bodies that it’s time to prepare for sleep. However, this is an area where digital e-readers can actually prove to be detrimental instead of helpful. Most e-readers are backlit and shine the light directly into your eyes. So for sleep, it’s important to read either a physical book or an e-reader that is front-lit.

Settling down to read a book whenever time permits can help us to be smarter, healthier, and live longer by keeping our brains in tip-top shape. Any reading can help us to be healthier but reading a physical book seems to be the most advantageous. Reading on a digital screen can slow reading up to 30% and while reading newspapers and magazines is also beneficial, books seem to be the reading material of choice to get optimal brain boosting power.

So tonight instead of watching one more TV show or spending another hour on the internet, why not cozy up to a good story and get smarter and healthier? Plus, there are few things more relaxing than getting a whiff of that old book smell or feeling the crack of a new spine as you travel with an author’s imagination into a brand new world.

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Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

$175,000 Active

5362 W Division Rd. Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,560 SqFt 1 Acres

Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

LOCATED IN THE GRASSLAND HILLS SUBDIVISION IS THIS 4044 SQ. FT. HOME ON A 1.39 ACRE CORNER LOT. THIS HOME HAS IT ALL. FEATURES INCLUDE 5 BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHROOMS, AND A DREAM KITCHEN WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CABINETS, DESK AREA, WINDOW SEAT, LARGE STORAGE AREA, PANTRY AREA, EAT-IN-BAR AREA, AND SEVERAL WORK AND COUNTERTOP AREAS. BEAUTIFUL CERAMIC TILE GRACE THE FLOOR OF THIS UNBELIEVABLE KITCHEN AND ALSO IN THE DINING AREA, HALLWAY AND BATH. THE LIVING ROOM IS ENORMOUS WITH ITS HUGE STONE FIREPLACE AND HIGH CEILINGS. THE SPACIOUS MASTER BEDROOM HAS ITS OWN PRIVATE BATH. THE ADDITIONAL OFFICE IN THE LOWER LEVEL IS SURROUNDED BY WINDOWS ON 2 SIDES OF THE ROOM TO LET IN LOTS OF WONDERFUL LIGHT ALONG WITH BEAUTIFUL BUILT IN DISPLAY OR STORAGE CABINETS ON 2 WALLS OF THE ROOM. A LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH A BRICK FIREPLACE IS ALSO LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL ALSO FEATURING MORE WINDOWS. THIS HOME ALSO HAS A 3 CAR GARAGE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE WITH A COVERED WALKWAY.

$379,000 Active

1091 W 36th Street Jasper, Indiana

5 Beds 3 Baths 4,014 SqFt 1.300 Acres

Listing courtesy of Steve Wigand from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

SPECIAL INCENTIVES: 5.5% 30-YEAR FIXED RATE PLUS $2,000 CLOSING COSTS. ZERO DOLLAR ENERGY REBATE. NO ENERGY BILLS FOR TWO YEARS!! JAGOE WILL PAY ENERGY BILLS UP TO $200/MONTH FOR TWO YEARS. Located In Hunters Crossing Subdivision The Cumberland Craftsman Floor Plan Is A Perfect Combination Of Contemporary Design With A Cozy Farmhouse Feel. This Two Story Home Offers 2,151 Finished Sq. Ft., 4 Bedrooms And 2.5 Baths. Open The Door To An Inviting Foyer Which Leads You To The Open Living Area Featuring A Spacious Living Room, Dining Area And Upgraded Kitchen Design With Island Bar, Granite Countertops, Mythology Tile Backsplash And Stainless Steel Appliance Package With Gas Range. Large Laundry Room With Locker Shelf And Half Bath Complete The Main Level. Stairs To Upper Level Are Just Off Of The Main Living Area And Lead To A Loft/Bonus Room, Ideal For Home Office, Game Room Or Secondary Family Room. The Spacious Owner's Suite Offers A Private Bath With Cultured Marble Double Bowl Vanity, Fiberglass Shower and Walk In Closet. 3 Additional Bedrooms And A Full Bathroom Finish The Upper Level. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Throughout The Main Living Areas, 9 Ft. Ceilings On The Main Level And Lots Of Natural Light Are Just A Few Of The Highlights Of This Beautiful Home! Click On The Virtual Tour Link For A Private Tour.

$291,800 Active

1404 N Hunters Crossing Pass Huntingburg, Indiana

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,151 SqFt 0.230 Acres

Listing courtesy of Kathy Rowekamp from RE/MAX Local.

Boost Your Brain and Live Longer by Reading a Book