Can you remember when you last read a book? Leisure reading in America has steadily declined through the years due to an increased usage of technology.
What we fail to remember, however, is that reading is great for us! Read on as AFC Urgent Care Cleveland explains why you should try picking up a book today.
How Is Reading Good For Me?
Reading a good book—fiction, nonfiction, whatever the genre may be—will set you on the path toward becoming a more well-rounded human being. That might sound like a semi-dramatic statement, but it’s true.
Reading increases your knowledge, helps you relate to people who are different than you, decreases feelings of anxiety and depression, and improves your memory. Why wouldn’t you want to experience these types of benefits?
Physical Benefits of Reading
- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
- Aids in sleep readiness
- Prevents cognitive decline as you age
- Reduces stress
What If I Only Look at My Phone Instead of Reading?
Technology offers many great ways to stay connected with others and useful apps, but there are a multitude of studies that show that too much phone usage can have lots of adverse effects. Granted, phone usage in moderation can be a really good thing, but it’s really difficult to use your phone a healthy amount.
Social media apps trigger your brain to release a chemical called dopamine, which is connected to the pleasure center of your brain. It’s an addictive feeling. Once you experience the feeling of someone liking or commenting on a post, it can be hard to stop chasing that feeling. This can lead to an increase in anxiety and negative self-image.
Other Negatives of Too Much Phone Usage
- Increased amounts of headaches
- Decreased attention span
- Shortness of temper
- Restless sleep
AFC Urgent Care Cleveland highly encourages you to pick up a book. If you or a family member has been struggling with headaches or anxiety due to too much phone usage, don’t hesitate to stop by today.
