Studies show that readers live longer than non-readers. If you already love to read, like
me, that is good news, and more good news is that you non-readers can start reading books at any time.
My current AARP news letter includes this in a list of 99 health ideas.
In their tip 98 I quote "Dust off that library card. A study of 3,635 older adults found that book readers had a 23 month survival advantage and 20 percent lower mortality risk compared with non-readers. Reading was protective regardless of gender, education or health."
This next photo is taken by DianneHope at Morguefile.
I chose the profession of librarian so you can see this tip about how healthy readers are is music to my ears. Plus I am a writer with thousands of articles and two books published so you can imagine that I like to read.
So in addition to an apple a day keeps the doctor away the study concludes that we can live longer by reading books.
32 comments:
Good post. I find it difficult to read books these days and seem to read blogs, watch You Tube videos and Google a subject. Lack of concentration I suppose? I never understand why public libraries don't open on a Sunday or at night.
That is good news Terra - I belong a book group, I used to write articles for various education magzines in my teaching days and I seem to spend all my spare money on either books or shelves to put them on. Yes, I must indeed dust off my library card - probably save me quite a bit of money.
I’m one of those readers. I love to read and always have. All three of our children and my husband are all avid readers too. I don’t remember seeing any of our children ever get in the car without a book in their hand from the time they knew how to read, and they are still that way. In fact, I just talked to my daughter in Nebraska about half an hour ago , and she was on her way out the door to go to the library! Quite the coincidence on opening up your blog post. Have a lovely day my friend. Blessings, Betsy
I love the no-risk factor in using the library. You can check out anything, and if you don't like it, big deal. Return it. I also love that I can walk to our local library branch. Almost like being a kid again.
Hi!
I'm a reader too, and I truly believe that if you read more than just occasionally, you will not only live longer, but increase your vocabulary, be a better conversationalist and get along better with people. I've seen this happen on more than one occasion...we need to read more!!
Hugs,
Barb
An apple a day and a book a week. Sounds doable to me.
This is GREAT news to me! In the past, whenever I sit (or stay under the covers) and read, I am nagged by the reported dangers of being sedentary. From now on I will remind myself of the health benefits of being a reader. :)
Wow I am so happy to hear this since I am a big reader. I read everything. I guess that's because I chose to be a Librarian also. Reading books makes Librarians happy!
Yes, I am a reader.....have loved to read since I was a young girl, and also love to write so have written a few stories...for my kids years ago...not for publishing. I usually have several going at once...in the bathroom, the car, my rocking chair...etc. My daughter in law spent hours and hours in the Library when she was home schooling her two boys. They are both adults and also love to head. She is a pre-school teacher, and just wasn't happy with her job or the people she had to work with, and the Assistant Librarian job became open at the Library where she had raised her boys, and she was very good friends with the Head Librarian who has been there for years. Chelenne, applied and got the job. She LOVES it~~~ it was a great change for her.
Good news for me. I love to read!
I am a huge reader, but I can say that I read much less often with social media, the blog, and a bit of writing work. But like a lot of fun and relaxing activities, we sometimes have to make an effort to plan for it. I do that and set goals. I grew up in a family of readers, my mother and five sisters. We passed around books, often arguing who would get the "good one" next! I trade my favorites with my sister in laws now, and donate the rest to a used bookstore in exchange for points toward future purchases.
Good to know we are going to live forever, Terra!! ;-D
Jane
I've been an avid reader all my life but find reading somewhat frustrating these days since my eyesight was not improved by cataract surgery, in fact, if anything it's worse.
When the kids were still at home we would go to the library with this big sturdy box and we filled it too! TV time was limited so the kids all read. Sorry to say that is not the case nowadays. I think computers and on-line games might be part of that problem.
I wonder if "wishing you loved to read" helps. :) I am reading a book now but it takes me forever to finish one. Sitting still to read is my problem. There is just so much I want to do, inside and outside, getting over 10,000 steps on my Fitbit most days. After reading your post, I am determined to read more and finish up that book. Thank you!
I used to read much more than I do today. My eyesight is not what it used to be.
Wow, I guess I didn't realize that you were a librarian and an accomplished writer to boot!! No wonder I was drawn to you. I am NOT a librarian, but I do visit my public library at least once a month to turn back in the 10+ books that I usually check out at a time, (mostly series of books by one author until I exhaust that series/author and move on to others). I was blessed at my previous job before I retired, that it was in a large church that had a very well stocked library, so that got me started back to reading regularly, and then when I retired 3 years ago the first thing I did was get a library card at the public library, and I've been faithfully going at it ever since!! My evening "occupation" is usually reading, if I am not writing here on my blog or reading my friends' blogs. I do write, but have not published any book. That was my goal when I retired, but I have found that writing my blog is more satisfying as I get immediate feedback and it's free! Too many people I know have written books and self-published them, and they are hard pressed to "give away" the stacks of books they can't sell. I was discouraged by that and other things when I went to a writer's conference...and so I decided that blogging was the best way for me to keep writing and not be frustrated! And I have met so many wonderful people like you here in blogland...that's the best kind of "book tour" for me!! Thank you for this delightful article today. It has lifted my spirits to know that I am doing a good thing by dusting off that library card!! Have a blessed day, and keep on reading and writing!!!
I am a reader. I think reading is an excellent activity for the brain - and quality of life. Unfortunately, all my other hobbies are also sitting activities, so I am not sure good reading is for the rest of my body - as it doesn't require you to move - and moving is definitely good for living longer. Did the article include that? It probably did. Of course, there are also audio books - and I find if I am doing things around the house - you know - boring things - I do much better if I have a book in my ear.
Pretty steady reader here. About a book and a half per week. Good to know that my time spent in another world is helpful for my health. Haven't been to a library in a few years but have joined their E book service which is marvelous. Searching and checking out a book is done with the click of a key. How lazy can one get?
I've always loved reading and have many books to choose from, but it takes me quite a long time to get through any of them. Unfortunately, I tend to start one (or more) and then get sidetracked, so often have to restart to refresh my memory.
Put me in the reader column. I can't imagine not exploring the world and life through reading.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I see we read many of the same blogs so I'm adding yours to my list to read more often.
Well, I’m probably going to live forever! My library card has always been one of my most precious possessions, from the time i could read. I had to wait a few years to get one because we lived out in the country and getting a city library card cost money. At some point the county decided to pay part of the price and we could afford the $15 and i was sooooo excited!
I have to agree with the statistics. I know in my own family, my mom had dementia at around 75 and she really wasn't a reader, active socially or had any real hobbies. I've seen that pattern in others and while I know there isn't one single thing that contributes, keeping our minds sharp definitely makes sense!
I love that "dust off your library card" .. I work at a public library as well. I have for over 20 years and love it. But it has changed a lot over the years. We are going through a whole new web catalog and web page. So many people are having issues. But I love reading and will learn all the tricks soon enough.
Joy@Books&Life
I love reading and when my eyes (or body) get too tired, I listen to audio books. The main thing I think is to keep the brain busy with good stories rather than just going in circles around one's own problems ;)
I love read books.
have a great day
Then I'll probably live forever. ;D
The library is one of our happy places :)
Good advice. Can't beat a good book.
Just finished Tony's Wife (Trigiani) an The Red Address Book. I love to read good books.
I guess I better quit putting off reading books and get to it. I have read a lot this week with having foot surgery.
Happy Weekend.
Hugs,
Kris
I love books, but of course where we live, the library is full of French books and my French is not that good!! I would not survive very long here without my kindle but I prefer books if I can get my hands on English ones. Take care Diane
I read about the value of reading as well. I am visiting Mexico right now volunteering in a library and arranging to adopt a library.
As a 30 year veteran of public and school libraries, I consider them one of our greatest institutions. I have limited wifi where I am staying but I have generous access to books. I'm reading A Gentleman in Moscow.
I'm glad have discovered your blog.
This is great to hear since I've been an avid reader my entire life!
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