Want to live longer? Start by reading 30 minutes a day - study

For some, reading is a hobby. For others, it serves as an effective escape from the stresses of daily life. But beyond keeping your mind active, regular reading is also linked to a longer life.

A 2016 study published in the Social Science & Medicine tracked 3,635 adults over a 12-year time period and found that people who read books had a 20% lower risk of mortality than those who did not.

The study also found that individuals who read for at least 30 minutes a day tended to live longer than non-readers.

In addition, a 2020 study conducted by the University of Connecticut in collaboration with Haskins Laboratories found that "keeping the mind engaged through book reading delays cognitive decline and positively impacts physical and mental health."

According to Dr. Cymbeline Perez-Santiago, neurologist and head of the Neurology Unit at Makati Medical Center, reading a book as opposed to looking at pictures or watching videos, can be considered a "full-brain workout" because it encourages people to use their imagination.

“Books, particularly long-form content, train us to focus and pay attention at a time when the digital world’s fast-paced, short-form content has reduced our attention span,” Perez-Santiago explained.

“Reading books also strengthens memory, challenges your analytical thinking, and makes you a better writer,” the neurologist added.

To encourage more readers, Perez-Santiago advised making reading an “enjoyable experience” or “something to look forward to.”

“When you’re waiting in the bank, at a doctor’s appointment, or for a friend to arrive for a meeting, pass the time away by getting in a few pages,” she said.

“Also, there are no rules that you should finish a book in a week,” she added. “As proven by studies, even a few minutes of reading can do wonders for your health.”

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