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When was the last time you sat down in your favorite spot with an actual book? Remember when this was normal? I bet Reading feels like a luxury to a lot of you, you feel guilty when you sit down to read, and you probably feel like you should be doing something productive, so you don’t feel good picking up that book- right?

I am here to remind you that reading a book isn’t Unproductive, it isn’t a luxury or a hobby& It shouldn’t be something we save for vacation.

Reading is one of the most powerful things you can do for your mind, mood, and your long term brain health.

There was a time when reading was NOT optional. It was how we learned. How we entertained ourselves, and how we relaxed during the day- and wound down at night.

This was before TV’s were in the room, phones were in every pocket, and long before scrolling. You read.

Books

Letters

Newspapers

Magazines- cover to cover

The cool part about reading a book is what it actually does for your brain:

Reading isn’t passive- it’s extremely active so When you read your brain lights up everywhere:

Your language centers light up

Your Memory centers light up

your Visual imagination lights up

And your emotion processing center lights up

Your brain doesn’t just understand the words- it recreates the experience- you smell it- you create a visual- you see it-- your brain builds an entire world from scratch when you read the words.

Tv doesn’t make you do that- only reading books.

Reading is like strength training for your brain:

Reading strengthens your-

Memory

Vocabulary

Comprehension

Focus

Empathy

Reading also strengthens your Creativity

-And it builds something called “cognitive reserve”- which is your brains back up system. The stronger your cognitive reserve, the more protected you are as you age.

Studies have shown that lifelong readers have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Reading is not just for homework, it isn’t old fashioned, and it’s NOT just for entertainment. Reading is one of the simplest, cheapest and most accessible forms of brain care that we have.

Reading makes your mind sharper, and it keeps your imagination alive, it asks your brain to build the story not just watch it

And it Expands you; reading books expands you because every book you read adds something new to who you are, new ideas, new words and new perspectives.

Bring reading back into your daily life

You are probably thinking that "reading more" is something you should "Do”, but how do you fit that in? Let me help you with that. You know you can fit it in! First, take back 10 minutes of phone time before bed and use that time to read. This also kills 2 birds with one stone, you get your reading in- and in turn -it will make you sleep so much better.

You can…

· Keep a bag in your car and in your purse- any free minute you have- at a car wash- Dr. Appt- kids sports- the beach- or if you are waiting for your gas tank to fill up-on a road trip- a flight- so many options and lots of time- grab that book.

· Read with your kids- this is considered reading.

At the end of the day reading is one of the simplest ways to care for your mind.

Sometimes the best medicine really is that simple.

READ More Books!

Enjoy.

Joanne Demers

The Aging Mask- A Lifestyle Medicine Podcast

(949)-236-1529

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https://www.instagram.com/theagingmask