Reading: A Brain Sport We Should Support

In an era dominated by digital screens and instant gratification, the act of reading a book has become this thing old people used to do back when walking to school in the snow up hill both ways on dinosaurs was actually a thing. However, did you know that dedicating just thirty minutes a day to reading—not just skimming blog posts or reading the captions on your TikTok videos—can improve how your brain works? I know I’ve seen it with my teens. I gave them phones to save my sanity way too early. I needed to buy myself time so I could work on my business, but now? Geez. I swear I can watch their brains shrivel as they devour video after video while laying on the floor or on the couch or on the stairs as work goes on around them.

Reading helps with cognitive abilities (husband), stress responses (kids), empathy (all of us), and frustration tolerance (myself). Imagine the people around you able to react to situations as if they were adults instead of two-year-olds. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Reading is a brain exercise that significantly enhances all kinds of stuff. When we read, we hear the people who are talking. We create in our mind’s eye what they look like, how they’re dressed, how they walk or enter a room. We smell the trees and wet dirt. We visit places we’ll never go. You don’t get that by watching a screen.

Reading requires active engagement. It stimulates the brain, improving memory, focus, and analytical skills. A book's narrative complexity challenges the mind, fostering deeper thought processes and enhancing mental agility. This mental workout not only sharpens the intellect but also slows cognitive decline with age.

Don’t believe me? Take this challenge.

Download any brain game you can find. There are a lot of them in the app store. I think it’s because we’re all tired of being so dumb in our overwhelmed world. Next, doom scroll TikTok or have an episode of TV running in the background while you perform some boring task like data entry. Next, play your game with a timer. Now, try that again after reading for thirty minutes.

I’ve done this multiple times and I’ve challenged those around me to do the same. The results are overwhelming. The brain games go smoother after reading and are a struggle after watching videos, even if they’re just running in the background to keep us focused on the boring task ahead.

Great! So, how does reading actively improve your brain’s ability to function?

Stress is a common ailment that kills brain cells. Okay. I haven’t found research that states it actually kills brain cells, but I can say with one hundred percent certainty, I feel a lot dumber after a stressful day. Reading offers a sanctuary from the chaos. Engaging with a book allows us to escape into other worlds, providing a much-needed break from daily stressors. This immersion lowers cortisol, the body's stress hormone (and the killer of brain cells). The relaxation effect of reading is so potent that it can reduce stress by up to 68%, according to research conducted by the University of Sussex. Can you imagine that?

Books are also windows into the lives, thoughts, and emotions of others. By experiencing stories from diverse perspectives, readers develop a deeper understanding, or empathy, for people different from themselves. This exposure broadens one’s worldview, helping to see others as fellow humans with their own stories and struggles, rather than mere obstacles or stereotypes. In a world often divided by differences, reading fosters a sense of shared humanity and empathy, essential for a cohesive society.

Reading a book challenges instant gratification. Unlike watching a quick video—and twenty more after that—reading a book requires a certain level of commitment and patience. It teaches us to endure through complex narratives and to tolerate ambiguity, while waiting for resolutions. This practice in patience gives us the ability to handle life's inconveniences and frustrations more gracefully. A higher frustration tolerance is key to building resilience and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.

Incorporating reading into our daily routine can be simple. Start with just thirty minutes a day and recreate that reading habit that fits seamlessly into our lives. Reading is not just a leisure activity. It's necessary for personal and societal development. By dedicating a mere half-hour each day to reading, we can enhance our cognitive abilities, reduce stress, increase empathy, and develop patience. This individual growth translates into a stronger, more resilient society. So, let us put down our devices, pick up a book, and embark on a journey that enriches ourselves and the world around us.