Here’s how reading helps keep you sharp in childhood AND old age.
With 11 percent of Tennessee seniors affected, our state has the sixth-highest Alzheimer’s death rate in the United States. To help prevent a decline in mental health, research is pointing to increasing mental activity in later life.
In a study published by the American Academy of Neurology, researchers found people who participated in mentally stimulating activities both early and late in life had a slower rate of decline in memory compared with those who did not participate in such activities. The rate of decline for people with infrequent activity was 48 percent faster than those with average activity.
Reading also has an important impact on a person’s health early in life. When young children are read to, research shows, a number of regions in the left part of the brain become active. These areas are involved with memory as well as the understanding of words and concepts.
Mental wellness aside, snuggling up with a book is a great way to relax — and if you’re reading with a child, you additionally get some precious bonding time.
Want to learn more about how to protect your mental wellness? Check out how sleep or lack thereof can impact your health.
