Any bookworm will tell you that reading a book is a pleasant distraction from the stresses of daily living—a chance to relax and lose yourself in the characters and plot of a page-turning mystery thriller or a swoon-worthy romance. Few people realize that both your mind and body benefit when this favorite pastime becomes a regular part of your routine.

According to Dr. Cymbeline Perez-Santiago, a neurologist and head of the Neurology Unit at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), experts describe reading a book as a “full-brain workout.”

“In a study conducted in 2020, researchers noted that increased gray matter in the left superior temporal cortex part of the brain, which is crucial to cognitive function, is linked to better reading performance among children. For the older generation, keeping the mind engaged through book reading delays cognitive decline and positively impacts physical and mental health.”

And here’s the kicker: a 12-year study found book lovers had a 20% lower risk of dying, and a Yale study showed that reading 30 minutes a day can add almost two years to your life.

Plus, reading helps you:

• Learn new words and facts (hello, better job opportunities!)
• Feel more empathetic and connected to others
• Focus better, remember more, and think more critically

Why Books Beat Scrolling

Unlike videos or photos, books make your brain imagine the scenes. That active process trains your focus, strengthens your memory, and even makes you a better writer. In a world of endless reels and notifications, that’s huge.

“Books, particularly long-form content, train us to focus and pay attention at a time when the digital world’s fast-paced, short-form content has reduced our attention span,” explains Dr. Perez-Santiago. “Reading books also strengthens memory, challenges your analytical thinking, and makes you a better writer.”

But Who Has Time? 

I feel you. A 2023 survey showed only 42% of Filipino adults read books outside of school, down from 80% in 2017. But the trick is to make reading fun, not a chore.

“The trick,” Dr. Perez-Santiago points out, “is to make it an enjoyable experience, something to look forward to.”

Here’s How To Do It

• Always have a book nearby (bag, car, desk—whatever works!)
• Read during “waiting time” (banks, appointments, coffee waits)
• Start small (one chapter, a short story, or even a few pages)
• No pressure rules (you don’t have to finish one book before starting another, or finish anything in a week)

Even a few minutes can genuinely help your mood, your brain, and maybe even your lifespan.

So, what’s on your reading list? Let’s swap titles and make reading a little more of our everyday ritual. 📖💕

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.