Reading is a simple yet powerful activity that can improve our lives. It allows people to explore new worlds just by turning the page. Yet, reading has a variety of hidden benefits that often go unnoticed. 

The first benefit is stress relief, as reading provides a sanctuary for one to rest their mind. According to a study conducted at the University of Sussex, “reading can reduce stress up to 68%.” Especially for teenagers trying to balance college apps, school sports, and other extracurriculars, reading can be an excellent place to take a break from all of these activities. 

Did you know that reading can also help you sleep better? When someone is exposed to excessive blue light before bed, it is harder for them to sleep. Therefore, by switching this habit to reading, they are more likely to get better sleep. 

Cathedral Catholic senior Ana Radilla tested this theory. After she recognized that she was “spending most of her day on her iPad screen,” she wanted to unplug. To do this “[she] began to read about 10 pages before bed, and [she] found that her sleep improved tremendously.” It is worth giving reading before bed a chance, especially if one struggles with sleep. 

Reading also significantly improves brain function, an essential skill for CCHS students to develop. Cathedral Catholic English teacher Ms. Fiore explains how “I am a strong believer in reading regularly as this practice improves students’ reading endurance and speed.” By sticking with the habit of reading, students are extremely likely to boost brain activity. 

Reading also boosts overall knowledge. Books that are written by a variety of authors and scenarios can help readers learn a lot about the world around them. Ms. Fiore directly agrees with this as she highlights how “books hold universes of knowledge; students can read from new perspectives and voices representing different cultures.” Ms. Fiore’s observations cause her to agree with the statement that “students’ creativity and capacity for understanding the world can all be enhanced by reading.” 

By just reading a little bit daily, CCHS students can significantly improve their health. Fiore explains how Cathedral opens up the possibilities of making reading a habit by “assigning engaging texts,  modeling textual analysis, and offering opportunities for students to self-select their reading.” This proves how there is a lot of opportunity at Cathedral to engage in reading practices.  

Ultimately, reading offers a variety of opportunities including stress relief, improved sleep, brain function, and boosting overall knowledge. When possible, try to make reading a habit in your life. National Reading Day is June 19th, but don’t wait until then to start your reading journey.