“Bookworm Benefit” Will Have You Reading Again
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 4, 2023
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
When I was younger used to read all the time.
I’d wake up in the morning, sit up, and read for a while before starting my day. The book beside my bed was also a great way to unwind at the end of the day. Most nights, I read for at least an hour before closing my eyes.
All that changed as I grew older. My life got busier, my responsibilities increased, and that dang thing called a mobile phone was invented.
I’ve had to make a concerted EFFORT to bring reading back into my life.
In the last year, I’ve returned to my old habit of reading before I go to sleep. It helps me relax and sleep better than I would after looking at my phone.
Now some new research has revealed it’s doing something ELSE for me too.
If you’ve fallen behind on your reading as I had, you will want to know about this.
Because when you hear what reading can do for you. I bet YOU’LL turn back into a bookworm too.
A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that reading for pleasure strengthens memory.
The researchers tested the volunteer’s cognitive skills. Then they were asked to read for 90 minutes a day, five days a week, for two months.
When the team retested their cognitive skills at the end of the two months, they were in for a surprise.
The readers had measurably better episodic AND working memory.
Episodic memory is the kind of recall you use for recent life events. And working memory is the ability to remember one thing when you start doing another.
As we get older, our episodic and working memory deteriorates. And brain diseases like dementia wreak havoc on both.
The researchers theorize that when you read for pleasure and need to remember characters and situations as you move through a story, this act of remembering trains your brain.
You can think of it as exercise for your mind.
The good news is it doesn’t matter what you read. You don’t have to wade through something heavy like War and Peace to get these benefits.
In fact, everything from an intellectual murder mystery to a trashy romance novel will boost your memory.
So go ahead and grab a book, pour yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee, and settle in for a good story and some memory-boosting exercise.
P.S. To stay sharp as a tack… and hold on to more gray matter regardless of your age… try THIS brain-saving hack.
Source:
“The Effects of Sustained Literacy Engagement on Cognition and Sentence Processing Among Older Adults,” Front. Psychol., 11 July 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923795
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...
Can Your “Poop Schedule” Predict Disease?
We all do it. If you’re alive, you poop. Some of us are so regular that we could set a clock based on our bathroom habits. Others, not so much. And yet, talking about bowel movements remains one of those taboo topics. Even your doctor skims over it during your annual checkup! But the truth...
Mailbag: "Digestive Drama" Strikes MILLIONS Over 50
“As an older woman I’m noticing changes in my digestion. Why does it become more difficult to digest food as we get older?” —Grumbling Gut Age-related changes to digestion are common, and they don’t get talked about nearly enough. It seems our stomachs decide to alter the rules just when we’ve mastered the game of...