Yes! It’s no secret that the amount of time we spend looking at screens isn’t good for our mental or our physical health.

Reading, however, is a fantastic and long-lost form of entertainment that provides lots of benefits. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Clemson explains why you should try putting down the phone and picking up a book.

What’s So Great About Reading?

With basically everything being digital these days, reading a real book and turning real pages is inching closer and closer to becoming a sacred art. There’s just something about turning pages and getting sucked into a good story that is good for the soul.

Reading a book strengthens your vocabulary, increases knowledge, increases empathy and can lessen depression and anxiety. Also, if you have had trouble sleeping at night, reading a book is a great remedy to help your body feel tired and your mind feel at ease.

Other Benefits of Reading

• Prevents cognitive decline
• Improves memory
• Strengthens analytical thinking skills
• Improves your focus and concentration

Why Should I Read Instead of Look at My Phone?

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, reading is much better for your mental health than choosing to look at your phone. Too much phone usage can have pretty serious effects on your mental health as it does the opposite of reading.

It increases anxiety, decreases empathy, and odds are you end up just mindlessly scrolling, so you don’t actually gain much knowledge by consuming countless hours of technology. We urge you to choose reading a book instead of looking at your phone as entertainment. Your brain will thank you.

Convenient Ways to Choose Reading Over Looking at My Phone

• Read a book before bed instead of scrolling through social media.
• Read a book during your lunch break instead of whipping out your phone.
• Join a book club! Reading a book with other people is a great way to build community.

AFC Urgent Care Clemson can’t speak highly enough of reading a good book. If eye problems or other health concerns have kept you from reading in the past, stop by today and we can get you the care you need.