There was a time when people made frequent trips to the library, eagerly waiting for that new release to become available.
Bedtime rituals involved turning pages as opposed to scrolling up and down a screen.
For some, books are still a treasured part of daily life. But for an increasing number of Americans, books are falling by the wayside in favor of other leisure activities.
A 2015 survey from Pew Research Center found that only 72% of American adults read a book (either print or digital) that year, a drop from 79% in 2014.
Some people have substituted streaming reading with TV binges, which we often do when we're stressed, tired, lazy, or avoiding a task that we really don't want to tackle.
But staring at screens isn't doing your brain — or your health — any favors.
Bingeing on your latest show addiction might satisfy your desire for instant gratification, but it's likely to disrupt your sleep quality and leave you feeling groggy when you make it a daily part of your evening routine.
Reading, on the other hand, is more likely to improve your sleep, according to Van Winkles. Not to mention the long-term benefits it brings, like the ability to see situations from various viewpoints, increased intelligence, and reduced stress.
Here are nine motivating facts to get you off the computer and into a good old-fashioned paperback:
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Reading literary fiction can reduce your need for 'cognitive closure,' making you better equipped to deal with uncertain situations.
Source: Creativity Research Journal
Reading can reduce stress by allowing you to enter a literary world away from the anxieties of your own life. Reading can also physically relax you by reducing heart rate and soothing tension in your muscles.
Source: Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing, University of Minnesota
Reading novels can make you more empathetic toward others, particularly when you're extremely immersed in the story.
Source: PLOS ONE
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