7 Unexpected Benefits of Being a Bookworm
We can't help but think that bookworms are the best people because we love books. But there are scientific studies to back it up! We've compiled a list of some of the most intriguing research-backed benefits of being a bookworm, ranging from living longer to being more attractive. So, the next time someone questions your excessive reading habits, simply point them to this list of surprising reading benefits!
1. Bookworms have a longer lifespan.
According to a 2016 study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, books help readers live longer lives. Yale researchers examined 3,600 readers over the age of 50 and discovered that readers lived 23 months longer than non-readers, and that even 30 minutes of reading per day increased lifespan.
2. Reading can help you broaden your vocabulary.
According to a study published in the Journal of Direct Instruction, children who read independently outside of school show signs of improved vocabulary skills. Furthermore, children who begin reading at a young age have better cognitive ability and can decode and retain more words.
3. Reading fiction can help you become more empathic.
According to a 2013 study, bookworms who read fiction are "emotionally transported" into the story, which helps fiction readers to be more sensitive to the feelings of others. According to the study, readers engage with fiction more because they do not need to be convinced that the information they are receiving is correct. As a result, fiction stimulates brain activity and has an impact on readers for days after they finish a book.
4. Reading can help you relax.
The Mindlab International at the University of Sussex discovered that reading reduces stress by 68%. People were asked to read silently for six minutes in the study, and it was discovered that it lowered their heart rate and caused their muscles to relax. Reading induces an "altered state of consciousness," allowing readers to temporarily forget about their stressors. As a result, reading can help people sleep better.
5. Reading stimulates the brain, which leads to lower rates of cognitive decline.
A study published in Neurology found that reading helps slow the rate of cognitive decline in older adults. Researchers followed 294 people over the age of 55 and discovered that those who read books, wrote letters, or otherwise stimulated brain activity experienced a 15% lower rate of cognitive decline than those who did not. Keeping the mind busy may thus aid in the slowing of illnesses such as dementia.
6. Boys who are exposed to books as children are more financially successful as adults.
Economists at the University of Padova studied 5,820 male students and discovered that those who read more than ten books at home earned 21% more than those who did not. Researchers concluded that because these men who grew up with books were exposed to more information about the world, it fed their "curiosity and ambition," leading them to become more successful professionals.
7. Being a bookworm can help you find love.
According to an eHarmony UK report, people who list reading on their online dating profiles have higher levels of communication: men receive 19% more messages and women receive 3% more. Books like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for example, elicited more communication from potential matches. According to eHarmony, bookworms are also more "intellectually curious," and thus more likely to communicate with fellow readers.
Related: 10 Things Only Hardcore Bookworms Do
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