10 Reasons Why Our Brain Loves to Read

In a world dominated by gadgets and screens, it's easy to forget the pleasure of leisurely reading a book. Today, we share facts and research on how books impact us and why our brain loves reading. Don't deny it this pleasure!

Why Does the Brain Want to Read?

1. Reading "Exercises" the Brain According to scientists, reading is one of the most complex tasks for the brain. The more challenging the task, the less rest the brain gets, which enhances our cognitive abilities and memory. Researchers have found that reading activates 17 different areas of the brain simultaneously! Each time you read, new synapses are created, allowing you to retain more memories and maintain sharp memory. This helps you remember characters, their names and traits, plot developments, and other details of the book.

2. Reading Reduces the Risk of Brain Diseases Reading, along with hobbies like solving puzzles or playing chess, reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in old age by 2.5 times. Watching TV, on the other hand, increases the risk. "The brain is an organ like any other in the body. It ages depending on how it is used," said Dr. Robert P. Friedland in an interview with USA Today, where the study results were published. Reading is the most accessible exercise for the brain, keeping it toned and preventing dementia and other degenerative processes.

3. Reading Changes Us Reading has a unique impact on our brain. Phrases like "this book changed my life" are not just dramatic. Scientists say that each new experience, impression, emotion, and book changes us with new neural structures and connections, and new knowledge.

4. Reading Develops Critical and Analytical Thinking Skills If you've ever read a detective, thriller, or mystery novel and solved the main puzzle before finishing the book, you were using analytical and critical thinking skills. These skills are also honed when you evaluate the plot, themes, writing quality, and character development. Critical thinking skills are invaluable in making important daily decisions, as reading requires recognizing text, thinking, and processing information, unlike watching TV, where images change rapidly.

5. Reading Improves Concentration and Attention In the era of "click" technologies, our brain is constantly switching between tasks. Just as we focus on work, a notification or phone call distracts us, leading to lost concentration and increased stress. Reading allows us to "pause" life and consciously engage with the text. Half an hour of reading in the morning can significantly improve concentration throughout the day. Try it.

6. Reading Enhances Imagination Unlike movies, games, and other visual content, books don't provide ready-made images but stimulate our imagination to work independently. Reading books makes us co-creators, expanding the author's imagination. Our unique visual interpretation of the text is valuable, enhancing creative thinking.

7. Reading Evokes Emotions Books allow us to experience feelings we've never felt or relive similar real-life experiences. Since the brain perceives reality and fiction similarly, we deeply and emotionally engage with what we read. Studies from Emory University show that reading books causes neurological changes involving muscle memory, allowing us to feel the experiences described in the books.

8. Reading Develops Empathy Literary works enhance our ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, making us more empathetic and better at responding to emotional needs. A study published in Science found that the emotional experiences gained from reading help in real life. The more we identify with a character, the more likely we are to act similarly in real life.

9. Reading Relieves Stress Reading is the most effective way to reduce stress and relax. Just six minutes of reading can lower stress levels by more than 68%, according to a study by the University of Sussex. Reading outperformed music, walking, having tea/coffee, or playing video games in stress reduction. Dr. David Lewis, the lead researcher, noted, "It doesn't matter what book you read; immersing yourself in it allows you to escape the worries and stresses of everyday life."

10. Reading Helps Combat Depression A research team from the University of Toledo found that 77% of participants who watched TV for more than two hours every evening felt more depressed, tense, and anxious than those who watched less. This led scientists to question whether depression and anxiety drive people to watch more TV. In stressful states, focusing on what brings pleasure is crucial, and reading is one such activity. Reading books has been identified as one of the most effective non-medical treatments for depression.