Evan Bass Men’s Clinic Discusses Certain Mental Health Benefits of Reading

For a number of people, there is nothing like getting lost in a good book. Reading can transport one’s mind to another world, and provide them a valuable escape from the daily stresses of life, at least temporarily. Evan Bass Men’s Clinic underlines that reading can especially be good for cognitive and mental health.

Evan Bass Men’s Clinic sheds light on the mental health benefits of reading

It does not really matter what book exactly one is reading. Just by losing themselves in an engrossing book can help people to escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday life, and spend time in the world crafted by the author.  Reading is much more than a mere distraction. It actively engages one’s imagination. The words on a printed page can help stimulate one’s creativity, and cause them to enter a somewhat altered state of consciousness.

A number of studies have shown that reading can help reduce negative emotions and stress. Reading a book for at least thirty minutes in the day can release happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine that reduces the impact of stress hormone called cortisol. Stress, particularly for prolonged periods, can impact the working of the brain and even slow down body functioning. Reading allows people to divert their minds from stressors around them and tune in to an alternate world, which makes reading a relaxing activity.

Many reports and studies also suggest that reading can help improve brain function, which in turn, can be good for mental wellness and flexibility. Reading typically activates brain networks and connectivity, and sparks the somatosensory cortex responsible for physical sensations. Reading regularly can help in the prevention of cognitive diseases like dementia. This activity stimulates neural networks in a manner that keeps the mind engaged.

The team of Evan Bass Men’s Clinic mentions that a good reading session just before going to sleep can help people to enjoy a peaceful slumber. Just 15 to 30 minutes of reading can also have a relaxing and calming impact on the brain, as it helps alleviate stressful emotions, reduces the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Reading helps people to disconnect from everyday stressors and exhaustion that comes after a long, hard day at work, which is quite helpful before falling asleep. For nighttime reading, people should consider reading something light-hearted and avoid reading from a screen. Reading at night can be good for non-readers as well, as just picking up a book and going through a few pages can be enough to put them in a lull.

Reading helps people to be more empathetic and aware of other’s energies and emotions. As books, both non-fictional and fictional, can help showcase a diverse array of characters from varying walks of life, reading diverse content can help expand one’s perspective. It may help people to become more receptive to the lives and beliefs of others, which ultimately helps people to become more empathetic. Emotions like empathy can additionally have a positive impact on one’s mental health. In addition to making an individual more accepting and tolerant, it also provides people with a brighter outlook on life.