We truly believe that books make the best gifts (especially ours). We often buy multiple copies of a book at a time so we always have one on hand for a hostess gift, a birthday gift or a baby shower. We might be a bit biased, but the science really does back us up.
Reading reduces stress. Apparently just six minutes of reading can lower your heart rate, relax your muscles, and reduce stress by two-thirds. Books always seem to bring us back to ourselves and the present moment.
It strengthens your brain and supports long-term cognitive health. Scientists regularly compare reading to working out for the mind. Consistent reading can improve memory, sharpen focus, and help to maintain healthy brain aging over time.
Reading nurtures empathy, emotional intelligence, and overall mental well-being. There is nothing better than reading to improve empathy and teach you to walk in someone else’s shoes. Losing yourself in a story or a thoughtful work of nonfiction expands your understanding of other people—their feelings, their motivations, and their inner lives.
It improves sleep and encourages healthier routines. Replacing a nighttime scroll with a physical book can calm the nervous system and help prepare your mind for rest.
Reading may even add years to your life. One long-term study found that regular readers had a significantly lower risk of mortality over 12 years than those who didn’t read books at all.
How does reading make your life better?