The simple way to boost your brain with Readly

With a mug of tea in hand, cosy blanket on your lap and tablet at the ready, is there anything more relaxing than carving out ‘me time’ to get stuck into some reading? But did you know those precious moments of calm have other far-reaching benefits?

We know that keeping active and eating a balanced diet are key to long-term health. But, the rate of brain decline can be reduced by up to 32 per cent in people who indulge in mentally engaging activities – such as reading – later in life too. And high levels of cognitive activity can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by 5 years among those aged 80 years and over and reduce stress by 68 per cent,

Those who read are in great company. Queen Camilla is an avid reader, her charity The Queen’s Reading Room discovered that reading for just five minutes a day is as valuable to mental wellbeing as walking 10,000 steps and eating five portions of fruit and veg. 

So, if you’re looking for an easy way to access endless reading material, it’s time to download the Readly app. Containing more than 7,000 magazines and newspapers, this ‘digital newsstand’ can help you keep up to date with the latest news, learn more about your hobbies or find out what’s going on with your favourite celebrities. All this via your mobile, tablet or computer, from the comfort of your home, while you’re travelling or on holiday.

Access magazines such as our very own Saga magazine, Good Housekeeping, Hello!, Time and New Scientist, or read daily newspapers including The Guardian and Daily Express. As well as stimulating your brain by reading articles, you can also test yourself with the puzzles and crosswords in the newspapers and magazines.

To show its commitment to the importance of reading for our wellbeing, Readly is supporting the National Pharmacy Association’s Your Health, Your Pharmacy campaign, which encourages people to utilise pharmacies for advice and treatment of common illnesses. To mark this Readly is offering you two months of free access to the app.

The brain-boosting benefits of reading

Regular reading can significantly boost your brain function. When you take some time to read, it activates neural circuits that control vision, language and learning, leading to improved memory, thinking and mood. Reading can lead to the creation of more grey matter and white matter in the brain.

Dr Rachel Taylor, Neuroscientist says: “Reading not only boosts brain function but also leads to structural changes in the brain, enhancing its overall health and capacity.

"Reading can lead to the creation of more matter in the brain. The more matter there is, the healthier the brain, so reading stimulates the brain, slowing down cognitive decline. It really is one of the easiest, effective and least expensive brain medicines around!”

Her top reading tips for a healthier cortex are:

1. Challenge yourself to read something completely different or out of your comfort zone - this means that you create more connections between neurons, a process called synaptogenesis. The more connections the brain makes then the more cognitive function we have.
2. Try short regular sessions - reading improves our focus, attention and concentration. Just 20-30 minutes per day has a significant impact on our ability to have productivity and efficiency .
3. Set time aside - Have a few set times during every day when you’ll read for at least 5-10 minutes. These are times that you will read no matter what. The key to developing a reading habit is consistency. Consistency is key to all health, wellbeing and cognitive nurturing activities!
4. Always carry something interesting to read - Wherever you go, have something interesting to read to hand. Whenever you have a moment, whip it out and engage the brain. The Readly app is convenient and insightful way to read around subjects that interest you, cultivate a good reading habit and stimulate the brain with plenty of new ones too. 

Now you know the incredible benefits of reading, all you need to decide is what magazine you want to read first. And maybe what biscuits will go best with your cuppa…