7 Scientific Benefits of Reading Printed Books
1. You absorb more information.
2. They help children become better readers, too.
Another study of young children between the ages of three and five revealed that kids had lower comprehension of the story when their parents read to them from an e-book as opposed to a print book. Researchers theorize this arises because children get distracted by the electronic device and have a harder time focusing on the story itself.
3. They’re easier on the eyes.
Considering that many jobs require you to stare at a computer screen all day, it’s wise to give your eyes a break whenever you can. Electronic books can cause screen fatigue, which may lead to blurred vision, redness, dryness, and irritation. With print books, you don’t have to worry about any of that.
When you’re winding down for the night, reading from a screen or scrolling through a social media app on your phone are bad ideas. Study after study has shown that the blue light from your screen can toy with your melatonin levels and circadian cycles, making it harder for you to fall asleep and making you feel groggier when you wake up.
5. You’re less likely to get distracted.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people who read e-books tend to get sidetracked more easily, but not just because the internet is right at their fingertips. Digital readers tend to spend more time scanning for keywords than actually processing what they’re reading. And with a print book, there’s no chance of getting distracted by links or getting sucked down an internet rabbit hole.
6. Having a library at home is linked to higher academic achievement. Students who have books at home are more likely to score higher on tests, according to a study of readers from 42 countries. It doesn’t matter how many books you have, but each additional book helps children perform better in school. This is especially true for children from disadvantaged families.
7. They amplify the joy of reading.
