Durham Care Home Encourages Daily Reading

For many of us, reading is a well-loved hobby, but one that often gets left behind when life gets busy. Surprisingly, as we spend time prioritising other things and our ‘to be read’ lists get bigger, we are missing out on major health benefits. Joanna Stanford, Lifestyle Manager at The Durhamgate care home, explains how reading for as little as six minutes a day can improve your wellbeing and why it should be encouraged at any age.

Reading can reduce stress levels

Whilst it is often the times when life gets most stressful that we put down our books, this is actually the best time to pick them up for health benefits.  

Joanna, from the Durham care home, says, “When we read, we focus our brains and concentrate on the book in front of us, allowing the brain to be distracted away from stressful thoughts whilst we use our imagination to see the story play out.

This kind of mental distraction can help the body relax, which is often associated with lower stress levels and a calmer heart rate over time.

Luckily, it doesn’t take long for the body to begin to relax once you get stuck into a good book, so it's easy to fit into your daily routine and reap the benefits. One study by the University of Sussex found that reading for as little as six minutes can reduce stress by up to 68%.”

Reading can improve memory

As we age, many of us become more forgetful as the connections in our brains become weaker, but reading can be used to help slow down this process.

Joanna explains, “When we read, we use the pathways in our brains, strengthening those that exist already and building new connections, similar to how we work out to build muscle. By keeping the brain active through reading, we can help support cognitive function and keep memory skills sharper for longer. Studies have shown that older adults who read regularly show greater ability to retain memories and have protected cognitive function compared to those who do not.

To further boost the benefits, you can read out loud. The University of Waterloo found that people remember words and text better if they read them aloud instead of silently, regardless of their age.”

Reading can open conversations

Whether you’re part of a book club or simply discussing your latest read with a friend, books can be used as a conversation starter.

Joanna says, “As with most hobbies, reading can be a great way to build a community and socialise with others, which is important for our mental health.

Reading can spark conversation almost anywhere – on a train, at the library, in your local coffee shop – and can open interactions with new people. Staying social throughout life is a really big factor in our overall wellbeing and can help us live longer, happier lives.”

Joanna continues, “Reading is a great hobby to pick up to improve your wellbeing, and the best thing about it is that it doesn’t have to cost money. You can look to pick up a book at your local library or one from around the house – many places even have free ‘little libraries’ where you can swap books with others.

With just six minutes of reading a day being shown to have benefits to your physical and mental health, it’s a quick habit to build into your routine that can be truly beneficial throughout your life.”