8 Science-Backed Benefits of Reading a (Real) Book

There's nothing like the smell of old books or the crack of a new one's spine. (Plus, you'll never run low on battery.) As it turns out, diving into a page-turner can also offer benefits for your health and happiness. There's nothing like the glow of a desk lamp on white pages. Although more and more people own e-books and subscribe to services like Audible on Amazon, it seems safe to say that real books aren't going anywhere yet, and these benefits of reading are here to stay. (Pick up one of these great books for any mood if you need a recommendation.)

Benefits of reading books - is reading good for you, answered — Getty Images

Eighty-eight percent of the Americans who read e-books continue to read printed ones as well. And while we're all for the convenience of digital downloads and a lighter load, we can't bring ourselves to part with the joy of a good, old-fashioned book. When we talk about healthy habits, we might as well add reading books to the list. Here are eight smart reasons to read a real book.

Reading Benefits

01 of 08

It increases intelligence.

As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Diving into a good book opens up a whole world of knowledge starting from a very young age. Exposure to vocabulary through reading (particularly reading children's books) not only leads to higher score on reading tests, but also higher scores on general tests of intelligence for children. Plus, stronger early reading skills may mean higher intelligence later in life.

02 of 08

Plus, it can boost your brainpower.

Not only does regular reading help make you smarter, but it can also actually increase your brainpower. Just like going for a jog exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good workout. With age comes a decline in memory and brain function, but regular reading may help slow the process, keeping minds sharper longer, according to research published in Neurology.

03 of 08

Reading can make you more empathetic.

Getting lost in a good read can make it easier for you to relate to others. Literary fiction, specifically, has the power to help its readers understand what others are thinking by reading other people's emotions, according to research published in Science. The impact is much more significant on those who read literary fiction as opposed to those who read nonfiction. "Understanding others' mental states is a crucial skill that enables the complex social relationships that characterize human societies," David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano wrote of their findings.

04 of 08

Flipping pages can help you understand what you're reading.

When it comes to actually remembering what you're reading, you're better off going with a book than you are an e-book. The feel of paper pages under your fingertips provides your brain with some context, which can lead to a deeper understanding and better comprehension of the subject you're reading about, Wired reports. So to reap the benefits of a good read, opt for the kind with physical pages.

05 of 08

It may help fight Alzheimer's disease.

Reading puts your brain to work, and that's a very good thing. Those who engage their brains through activities such as reading, chess, or puzzles could be 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those who spend their downtime on less stimulating activities. Research published in Neurology suggests that exercising the brain may help because inactivity increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

06 of 08

Reading can help you relax.

There's a reason snuggling up with a good book (and maybe a glass of wine) after a long day sounds so appealing. Research suggests that reading can work as a serious stress-buster. One 2009 study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68 percent. "It really doesn't matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author's imagination," cognitive neuropsychologist David Lewis told The Telegraph. We have some great recommendations for books to add to your spring reading list.

07 of 08

Reading before bed can help you sleep.

Reading a real book helps you relax more than zoning out in front of a screen before bed. Screens like e-readers and tablets can actually keep you awake longer and even hurt your sleep. That applies to kids too: Fifty-four percent of children sleep near a small screen, and clock 20 fewer minutes of shut-eye on average because of it, according to research published in Pediatrics. So reach for the literal page-turners before switching off the light.

08 of 08

Reading is contagious.

Seventy-five percent of parents wish their children would read more for fun, and those who want to encourage their children to become bookworms can start by reading out loud at home. While most parents stop reading out loud after their children learn to do it on their own, a report from Scholastic suggests that reading out loud to kids throughout their elementary school years may inspire them to become frequent readers—meaning kids who read five to seven days per week for fun. More than 40 percent of frequent readers ages six through 11 were read to out loud at home, but only 13 percent of those who did not read often for fun were. Translation? Storytime offers a good way to spark an interest in the hobby.

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Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.