Reading is Good for Your Health and Wealth
When I was a child, my mother encouraged me to read a lot of books. Her philosophy was that if I developed a love for reading, I could learn anything. In the summer, I loved going to the library and stuffing my backpack with books. I would voraciously read through the books and immerse myself in the characters. Reading took away the loneliness of being an only child. There was a program at the library that awarded children for the number of books read over the summer. I felt accomplished after I received the first-place ribbon for reading the most books and it encouraged me to continue reading. I realize now that reading boosted my mental health. Researching information for this post allowed me to discover the other health and potential wealth benefits of reading.
Reading and Health
Reading has several health benefits that include the following.
1. Reduces the risk of cognitive decline.
A study published in 2020 concluded that adults over 60 who read at least twice per week were less susceptible to developing dementia.
2. Reduces stress.
A study showed that reading, specifically reading a book aloud, for over 10 minutes reduces stress.
3. Improves sleep quality.
A randomized study conducted in 2019 with 991 participants concluded that “reading a book in bed before going to sleep improved sleep quality, compared to not reading a book in bed.”
4. Helps with weight management.
A study published in 2012 evaluated data on 17 nations from the International Social Survey Program. The study found that individuals who performed activities including reading, attending concerts and plays, and going to exhibitions have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who engage in activities such as socializing, handicrafts, and watching television/listening to music.
Reading and Wealth
According to Sales and Marketing Executives International, individuals who read at least seven business books a year earn 2.3 times more money than those who read one book a year. Steve Siesbold, author of How Rich People Think, interviewed 1,200 of the world’s wealthiest individuals and found that reading was the habit they all had in common. Research by Tom Corley, author of Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals discovered that 88% of wealthy people spent 30 minutes or more each day to self-improvement reading. Self-improvement reading such as Dr. Mansur Hasib’s book Bring Inner Greatness Out: Personal Brand provides tips and strategies to develop your personal brand and improve your compensation negotiation skills that can be used to increase your wealth.
Reading will not automatically make you healthy and wealthy. Executing on what you have read will allow you to continue your journey to health and wealth.
