Reading is on the rise! Which is wonderful for a number of reasons, from improving sleep quality to fostering creativity and more.

This Reading Month, we connected with an expert to learn exactly what benefits reading and audiobooks offer.

According to Shannon Wilson, Vice President of Population Health and Health Equity for Priority Health, reading is like a workout for your brain.

"Mentally, it stimulates the mind, reduces stress and enhances knowledge and vocabulary—it keeps your mind sharp," Wilson said. "It also improves focus and concentration, which can lead to better problem-solving skills and creativity. Physically, reading can lower heart rate and reduce muscle tension, contributing to overall relaxation."

Your sleep quality can also be significantly and positively affected by choosing to crack open a good read before bed.

"Unlike screens, which emit blue light that can interfere with melatonin production and disrupt sleep cycles, a good book helps relax the mind and prepare the body for rest," Wilson said. "It creates a calming routine that signals to the brain that it's time to unwind, leading to more restful and consistent sleep."

And did you know? Audiobooks also offer many of the same benefits as traditional reading. Some of those benefits, Wilson said, include boosting comprehension, expanding vocabulary and stimulating the imagination.

"Audiobooks are particularly useful for people who are always on the go, have visual impairments or learning challenges," she said. "While you might not get the visual stimulation of reading, you still get an enriching experience. It all comes down to personal preference."

And we get it. Free time is hard to come by these days with our busy lives pulling us in multiple directions at once. But that doesn't mean you can't start slow and find what works for you.

"Finding time to read can be tough, but it's all about sneaking it into your daily routine," Wilson said, noting that even just 10-15 minutes of reading during a lunch break or before bed can make a difference.

"Prioritizing reading by scheduling it into your daily routine, choosing books that truly interest you and embracing audiobooks as an alternative can help you read more consistently. I think a great way to start is an audiobook for the family that can be played on the way to school or while running errands. It's a great way to get caught up in a storyline that can be continued in other formats later."

Encouraging reading starting at a young age is imperative, as it's crucial for cognitive development and language skills.

"Reading helps children learn to process information, pick up new words and communicate better," Wilson explained. "Early readers tend to excel at recognizing patterns and thinking critically. Plus, it fosters a love for learning and curiosity about the world."

Parents may not know how to make reading more appealing to children who might not have shown an interest yet. Wilson shared some of her tips, noting that making reading fun is key.

"Create a cozy reading nook, pick out a variety of books that match their interests and make it a part of your daily routine," Wilson suggested. "You can also visit libraries together, attend story time sessions and lead by example by reading yourself—kids love to mimic what their parents are doing."

Wilson shared a bit of her own personal experience with reading and encouraged people to start by finding what they like and going from there.

"I'm a bit old school in that I like physical books and bookmarks; I tend to binge read series and let myself get caught up in the plot," she said. "I have a dyslexic learner at home, so audiobooks are definitely something you'll find in our household. I also have a child who loves poetry, which adds an additional element to our literary collection. We've found that embracing a love for books in all formats works best for us."

Local book shops in West Michigan abound, so be sure to check out some of those options, in addition to renting books and audiobooks from your local library!

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.