Whether you were an avid reader back in the days or are just starting to discover your love for literature, the benefits of reading as you grow older cannot be underestimated. Now that you are retired, you have more time on your hands to discover new stories and learn more about a multitude of subjects. It’s time to start reaping the benefits of reading!
Develop a Greater Sense of Empathy
Readers of fiction have been found to have a greater sense of empathy and higher emotional intelligence. The reason for this is simple: as you read and relate to a storyline, you start to feel for the characters. You can see into their heads and experience everything they are feeling, making it a deeply immersive experience. The result is that when relating to other people in real life, you are able to put yourself into their shoes and empathize more deeply.
Relieve Stress and Anxiety
What do you do when you are stressed out or anxious? We may all have individual coping mechanisms for handling stress, but reading is a popular choice due to how low maintenance it is. No matter where you are, you can grab a book and start reading! Whether you are chilling at home, on the train, or relaxing in the park with your grandkids, a book can follow you anywhere.
Establish a Healthy Bedtime Routine
You may find that your sleeping patterns start to change as you grow older. If you find it hard to fall asleep at night, establishing a bedtime routine can help. This means in the 30 minutes before going to bed, you create a calm environment that promotes relaxation. Adding a book to the repertoire can be one way of signaling to your brain that it’s time to wind down and rest. To this end, a hard copy will be better than an e-reader, which can keep you awake for longer.
Keep Your Brain Sharp for Longer
Did you know that reading is a good workout for the brain, akin to physical exercise for the body? To keep your cognitive skills sharp and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease as you age, reading is one habit that’s easy to adopt. It can also help to improve your memory skills as you have to remember what’s going on from one chapter to the next or rely on contextual information to make sense of what you are reading. There’s no better workout you can do for your brain!
Enjoy a Wide Range of Community Events at The Trace
Looking to move into an assisted living community that can provide you with the best of everything? At The Trace, you can participate in a wide range of community events going on, from seasonal celebrations to book clubs. Regardless of what you enjoy doing most, you can customize the retirement lifestyle of your dreams when you make the move here!
Contact us today to schedule a tour of our senior living community.
