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Benefits Of Reading Include A Longer Life

Pick a book. Any book.

Finding time to sit down with a book is something many people struggle with, but you might want to start making the time.

A recent study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine suggests those who read more tend to live longer.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at Yale University, looked at life data of 3,635 Americans over the age of 50 for a span of 12 years, and found that book readers were 20 per cent less likely to have died compared to non-readers.

The researchers divided the participants into three different groups: those who don't read books, those who read books for up to 3.5 hours a week and those who read for more than 3.5 hours a week. Surprisingly, those who read up to 3.5 hours a week were 17 per cent less likely to have died within the 12 years compared to non-readers. And those who read even more than that were 23 per cent less likely to die.

Book readers in general were associated with living nearly two years longer than non-readers.

Besides helping you live longer, reading has many other benefits including keeping you relaxed, staving off Alzheimer's disease and improving your quality of sleep.

Need a new book? Check out the slideshow below for some suggestions.

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