Books are great gifts for the holidays, birthdays and all year round gifts in my world. I get it, they are so many other things we can do for fun or to pass the time, such as hanging out with friends and families. These pastimes are all good for you, but studies indicate that reading takes the top prize for calming down the mind. It lowers stress levels by 68%, slowing your heart rate and helping tense muscles relax. It’s also the perfect pre-bedtime activity.

The practise of reading books creates cognitive engagement that improves: vocabulary, cognitive skills, and concentration. It also can affect empathy, social perception, and emotional intelligence.

Over all, reading books:

•aids in sleep readiness
•reduces stress
•lowers blood pressure and heart rate
•fights depression symptoms
•prevents cognitive decline as you age
All of these contributes to a longer life the sum of which helps people live longer.

The plan for 2022 is to read more and do weekly book reviews.

One thing I do when pressed for time AKA busy days, I devote a few minutes daily to a blog on a niche topic. If you’re looking for an escape, fantasy or historical fiction can transport you out of your surroundings and into another world altogether. If you’re on a career fast-track, read nonfiction advice offered by someone who’s already arrived. Consider it a mentorship you can pick up and put down when it suits your schedule.
One thing to note: Don’t read solely on a device. Flip through print books, too. Several studies have repeatedly shown that people who read print books score higher on comprehension tests and remember more of what they read than people who read the same material in a digital form.