A Boon For The Brain

It's been a long, exhausting day and you can't wait to jump into bed, get cozy under the covers, and doze off—but not before opening Instagram and getting your nightly fix of reels.

- TEJASREE KALLAKRINDA

It's been a long, exhausting day and you can't wait to jump into bed, get cozy under the covers, and doze off—but not before opening Instagram and getting your nightly fix of reels. Do you remember when your parents or grandparents would read you fables, stories from the Panchatantra, or narrate episodes from mythology? Although reading as a form of relaxation might seem counterintuitive, it can give your mind the rest it needs, especially before sleep. Ahead of World Book Night, which is marked on April 23, experts tell CE about the benefits of reading and how it can improve your sleep and quality of life.

Improved cognitive ability Reading is one of the few activities that has an overall effect on the brain. Dr Virinchi Sharma, a consultant psychiatrist at Arete Hospitals, Gachibowli, explains, "Reading activates all four lobes of the brain. It also stimulates both the left and right side of the brain, improving the connection between them and enhancing cognitive abilities."