Reading is an activity that about 86% of the population participates in. It is a calming and relaxing activity that constantly exercises the brain. The limits of what you could be reading are endless.

There is fiction, non-fiction, true crime, romance, mystery, and so much more. A lot of people think reading is just a hobby, which it is, but it is also a healthy habit that keeps you healthy in ways you wouldn’t usually think about.

An essential aspect that reading reduces is stress. Stress is definitely something people don’t think of when they think of health. Too much stress can cause high blood pressure, which is unhealthy and can become dangerous.  High blood pressure is known as the silent killer. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This causes the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) to thicken. A thickened left ventricle increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Nobody wants that, so keeping your stress levels low is essential.

When you start reading, your blood pressure drops, and your heart and respiratory rates slow down. These effects combine to reduce the strain on your heart and blood vessels. There are other pros to reading other than decreasing stress. Reading improves brain activity, increases vocabulary and comprehension, aids in sleep readiness, and so much more. So the next time you catch yourself debating reading a book, do it. Who knows, maybe it can save your life.

Keep reading Canes!