The science is in: reading can extend your life, among many other benefits.
In a widely cited 2016 study published in Social Science & Medicine, researchers from Yale followed 3,635 adults over the age of 50 for 12 years. They found that participants who read books for 30 minutes or more a day lived an average of 23 months longer than non-readers—even after adjusting for variables like age, gender, education, and health.
However, the research showed that the benefits weren’t as strong with newspapers or magazine articles, books seem to offer something uniquely protective. Dr. Kathleen Jordan explains:
“When you sit down with a book, it often requires deeper concentration, more sustained focus, and more active engagement than flipping through shorter articles.”
Your Brain on Books
Plenty of research suggests that reading supports long-term brain health:
- A 14-year longitudinal study of older adults revealed that frequent readers (those who read at least once a week) had a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline over the long term. This was true across 6-, 10-, and 14-year follow-ups.
- A study in Neurology observed that elderly individuals who remained mentally active—through reading, writing letters, or playing games—developed Alzheimer’s disease about five years later than less cognitively active peers.
- A 2023 review found that older people with mild cognitive impairment benefit from cognitive stimulation programs (which can include reading, among other activities).
Additionally, reading supports emotional well-being and stress reduction. Here’s how:
- It encourages mindfulness. Reading slows you down and draws you into the present moment.
- It may foster empathy. Immersing yourself in a character’s life broadens emotional awareness, according to research.
- It could facilitate connection. Reading is often a solitary activity, but it can be a point of connection to others—for example, through book clubs, forums, libraries, and book launch events. A 2023 study looked at data from 19,821 middle-aged and older adults in 15 countries. The study concluded that reading and other mind-stimulating activities are associated with a lower risk of depression and loneliness.
- It provides a healthy escape. Fiction, in particular, offers a low-stakes way to mentally "get away" without engaging in avoidance behaviors. · It’s a screen-free activity. If you’re struggling to cut down on doomscrolling or need to avoid screens before bed, a book is the perfect replacement.
- It offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment, especially when finishing books or learning something new.
Ready to start reading?
Glenview Public Library has everything you need to get started. Check out our book discussions if you need some motivation to get into reading and enjoy the social aspect of books:
Book Discussion Groups: Page Turners, BookBites, Past Tense, Great Books; we have several books clubs to help you keep reading.
If you need some inspiration about what to read, check out our staff’s been reading in October:
Here's what GPL staff are reading this month as discussed at our recent brown bag lunch.
We're always coming out with new staff lists to keep reading interesting. Find out what we're recommending, grab a book, and start reading.
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