It is well known that reading has a wide range of benefits to our health and well being. On the other hand, scrolling is well known to be bad for our health. But why specifically is reading a book so much better for you than scrolling ?
Life can be busy with distractions. We can feel pressured to be productive at all times by completing multiple tasks at once. The great thing about reading a book is it allows you to focus on one thing at a time. An audiobook can be a great way to read but you may find yourself tacking on cleaning or other tasks, meaning your book is less of an escape. Reading a physical book can slow racing thoughts. Reading requires sustained focus that can feel almost meditative.
Scrolling is designed to have no clear end point and your phone is a bottomless pit of distraction with email alerts, WhatsApp messages and endless feeds. When you pick up a book there are no digital interruptions and your time is spent much more intentionally.
A UK poll from The Reading Agency found that those who read regularly for pleasure reported lower levels of stress and greater relaxation compared to non-readers. Reading a book can quickly shift your mind away from stressful thoughts or work.
The NHS recommends avoiding electronic devices for at least one hour before bed as the blue light emitted can make it harder to fall asleep. Reading is also one of the top wind-down activities we can do before bed to set you up for a great nights sleep.
Whether you’re keen to reduce your stress or get off to sleep easier at night, swapping time on your phone for time reading is a great idea. If you’re looking to discover new books check out our range of preloved book subscription boxes, starting from just £13.49 per month.