Great Yarmouth Samaritans look at ten simple things you can do to improve your wellbeing.
We all want quick and easy ideas to improve our health and wellbeing. Great Yarmouth Samaritans pick ten 'simple things' that can easily fit into our daily routine.
Eighth in our series of 'simple things' you can try: Read
Reading is one of the most beneficial activities we can engage in. It expands our knowledge, enhances our vocabulary, and improves our critical thinking and analytical skills. Through reading, we can learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, which can broaden our horizons and help us understand the world around us.
Furthermore, reading is an excellent way to improve our mental health. It can reduce stress, increase empathy and compassion, and even improve our memory and cognitive function. In today's fast-paced world, reading provides a much-needed break from the constant stimulation of technology and can help us relax and unwind. Researchers at Yale University found that those that read 30 minutes a day lived on average 23 months longer than those that don't.
Reading fiction in particular acts as a 'whole brain' workout.
Stanford University
Researchers at Stanford University scanned the brains of people while they were reading, they found a dramatic increase in blood flow across the entire brain. That's because when we get immersed in a book, our brains are busy imagining images, sounds, textures, smells and tastes described, and this activates the many different areas of our brain.
Reading is a valuable and enjoyable activity that can have a positive impact on our lives in many ways. So, if you're not already an avid reader, consider picking up a book and giving it a try!