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The Science Behind: Reading (Cover - Ishita Baghel)

Reading is a wonder that is a popular choice of hobbies and learning. It is a tool for the imagination and is an emotional reference. It is more than an educational source and free use of time. It is an advantage in memory, intellect, and emotion. And all the times I’ve been told that reading is good, I never took it to heart. But after a little research and thinking, I found that reading is beneficial in ways that not many of us know about. After reading this article, I hope you reconsider your opinion on reading. 




What is happening in your brain while reading? 

Like most other brain-related topics, not everything is known about what happens in the brain while reading. When you see words on a page, “your brain is running several simultaneous processes, from word analysis and auditory detection to vocalization and visualization, to the experience we know and love called reading,” according to Sadie Trombetta in the article What Does Reading Do To Your Brain? These 5 Effects Are Pretty Astounding. Reading has many benefits, which is why some say it is an exercise for your brain. 



What are some benefits of reading? 

When you read, your brain is more connected, and activity in the central sulcus (the part of the brain that controls sensory-motor activity) increases. Communication in the brain increases as well, as reading includes many different functions and parts of the brain. Some examples are “visual and auditory processes, phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension,” as stated in the article What Does Reading Do To Your Brain? These 5 Effects Are Pretty Astounding. As a result of the social aspects most books contain, reading can also increase emotional intellect (you imagine what’s happening, and you feel what the characters feel). It improves your attention span and focus, as when you are reading, you are absorbed in the book, paying attention to details, and focused on the story. Reading enhances memory and “gives us time to think, process, and imagine,” according to Haskins Laboratories for the Science of the Spoken and Written Word. Additionally, reading reduces the stress of everyday life by absorbing you in a world of imagination instead. 


Reading has its benefits, and there are many reasons why it’s healthy and why we should read every day. It’s a simple way of relaxing and improving skills, and I hope you see that reading has a lot to it. 





Keep learning,

Anonymous


Sources:

  1. https://www.bustle.com/p/what-does-reading-do-to-your-brain-these-5-effects-are-pretty-astounding-74676

  2. https://medium.com/swlh/this-is-your-brain-on-reading-why-your-brain-needs-you-to-read-every-day-a472b04da2e0

  3. https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/benefits-of-reading-real-books

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