You can make avid reading part of your healthy ageing journey. Here are some reasons and ways to do it.
Reading is a beneficial hobby. It supports your brain, your mental health, and your social wellbeing.
But as you age, things like arthritis or changes in vision can make reading harder.
Even so, it’s still possible to keep reading as part of your healthy ageing journey. Here’s why it helps – plus some tips to make it easier.
Why should you keep reading as you age?
Reading for brain health
Reading involves a complex neural network of activity. Though it can feel very calming, it's still an exercise for your brain. You can use it to keep your brain active and in good shape.
Taking some time to read each week is linked with slower decline in thinking skills as you age. It can also improve abilities like memory and language processing.
Books aren't the only way to read. Newspapers, magazines, or online articles can all help you keep thinking and learning. This supports your brain health, which supports your independence and overall health as you age.
Building your cognitive reserve
Cognitive reserve is your brain’s 'stockpile' of thinking skills. You can build it over your lifetime. Activities that challenge your mind, like reading an engaging book, help strengthen this reserve. This makes your thinking skills more resilient to age or disease.
Just like you can train your muscles to get strong, you can train your brain for older age. You can start any time, but the earlier the better. Reading for leisure is a good way to begin.
Reading for mental health and wellbeing
Reading can help you relax and reduce stress. It fits well into a calming bedtime routine.
Older adults have also reported that reading supports their emotional health. It helps with things like:
- Reflecting on your feelings
- Growing as a person and understanding others
- Feeling connected – with story characters and with real people in your life
You may bond with others over a shared interest in certain books. You could also meet new people at a local book club. This helps you stay connected with your community, which is important for good mental and overall health.
