Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

hermetic

(8,670 posts)
Mon Mar 26, 2018, 02:40 PM Mar 2018

Science says: Reading is GOOD for you

You're not doing yourself any favors if you're in the 26 percent of American adults who haven't read even part of a book within the past year.

People who read books live longer
That's according to Yale researchers who studied 3,635 people older than 50 and found that those who read books for 30 minutes daily lived an average of 23 months longer than nonreaders or magazine readers. Apparently, the practice of reading books creates cognitive engagement that improves lots of things, including vocabulary, thinking skills, and concentration. It also can affect empathy, social perception, and emotional intelligence, the sum of which helps people stay on the planet longer.

Reading fiction can also help you be more open-minded and creative. Read more about reading here:
https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/why-reading-books-should-be-your-priority-according-to-science.html

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Science says: Reading is GOOD for you (Original Post) hermetic Mar 2018 OP
I have it from a VERY good source that you are WRONG: ret5hd Mar 2018 #1
HA! hermetic Mar 2018 #2
Hey, funny coincidence hermetic Mar 2018 #6
I love Trailer Park Boys. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2018 #9
This is good to know! Ohiogal Mar 2018 #3
I know, right! hermetic Mar 2018 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author hermetic Mar 2018 #5
Don't have a link but my DILs brother works in Chicago Laura PourMeADrink Mar 2018 #7
Thanks. Good to know hermetic Mar 2018 #8
If that study can be replicated, it's astonishing. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2018 #10
Shucks, pal hermetic Mar 2018 #11
Well, I have plans for my 97th birthday. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2018 #12
I explain this LWolf Mar 2018 #13

hermetic

(8,670 posts)
2. HA!
Mon Mar 26, 2018, 03:04 PM
Mar 2018

I loved Ricky. Well, actually I liked Julian better, yum, but I watched all the shows. Have them on DVDs.

hermetic

(8,670 posts)
6. Hey, funny coincidence
Mon Mar 26, 2018, 03:52 PM
Mar 2018

If you are on FB, I just found this page...https://www.facebook.com/TPBTrinity/

Hi, my name is Trinity, and I have pretty much grown up in front of the cameras on my dad's documentary thing called Trailer Park People or some shit. One day I got to thinking about how much of my life is out there for anyone and their illegitimate brother to see, so I thought I would show you life in the park from MY point of view.
This is a fan site and not the personal site of Jeanna Harrison and she has nothing to do with this page, so quit sending date invites! Please be positive -- or you'll get booted, and enjoy all the things that make up Trailer Park Boys!



There are too many funny things on FB for me to give it up. If they want to tell the world I like the TPB, so be it.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,850 posts)
9. I love Trailer Park Boys.
Tue Mar 27, 2018, 10:38 AM
Mar 2018

Ricky is dumb as a stump but, even when he goes off about something, is essentially a gentle giant.

And I love Julian. All the characters.

Ohiogal

(35,205 posts)
3. This is good to know!
Mon Mar 26, 2018, 03:04 PM
Mar 2018

I'll keep telling myself this whenever I sit down and open up a book when there's lots to do around the house! (which is just about every day)........

Response to hermetic (Original post)

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
7. Don't have a link but my DILs brother works in Chicago
Mon Mar 26, 2018, 04:52 PM
Mar 2018

On Alzheimer's research. Couple years ago he told her that there were only two things they were sure about to avoid getting disease....drink at least 2 cups of coffee and read. But he said read novels. Something about immersing your brain in another world...imagining what the people look like..the places look like is good for your brain.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,850 posts)
10. If that study can be replicated, it's astonishing.
Tue Mar 27, 2018, 10:40 AM
Mar 2018

23 months longer?! Woah! And that's on average. i wonder if the more books you read the longer you tend to live. I also wonder if there are other things correlated with reading that tend to lead to a healthier life style.

I read, lots and lots. I keep a book list, and last year I read 108 books, a personal record. Although since about two-thirds of what I read is non fiction, I'll need to read more novels it looks like.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,850 posts)
12. Well, I have plans for my 97th birthday.
Tue Mar 27, 2018, 11:16 AM
Mar 2018

I want to make it to see the total eclipse of August 12, 2045. It will last more than 4 minutes (along the path of totality) and up to 6 plus minutes, depending on location.

I got to see last August's eclipse in Nebraska, where totality was a bit over two minutes. But four to six minutes. Wow. I want to be there.

So I guess I need to keep on reading.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
13. I explain this
Wed Mar 28, 2018, 11:58 AM
Mar 2018

to parents of middle schoolers 100 times a year during parent conferences, and numerous times a year directly to all students in my classes. I have for decades, and I have the decades' worth of research to back it up. It's part of explaining why spending time reading, and providing evidence of that time spent, is the only homework I ever assign, and why they won't get a passing grade if they don't do that homework. Demographically, my students mostly come from poor, under-educated, semi-literate homes that have no actual reading material in the home.

Many of my students eventually discover a love of reading that will last a lifetime. They tell me that while they're with me, and they come back to tell me that after they've gone on. More of them discover academic and intellectual ability that they never thought they had.

If there is one powerful thing to feed growing minds, it's reading.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Fiction»Science says: Reading is ...