Reading Books & Keeping An Active Mind Can Boost Mental Health

From a very young age parents, teachers and adults encourage children to read because reading educates and has been known to develop and improve vocabulary, grammar and reasoning power.  Reading promotes deep thinking while increasing understanding and imagination.  In all schools reading has long been considered the foundation of all education.

While reading is relaxing, a great de-stressor and fun it has many cognitive benefits for the reader.

Linguistic Intelligence – In early childhood reading can help develop linguistic intelligence and mathematical intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence – Reading in early childhood also promotes empathy as children soon learn to identify with characters in a story. A strong marker of social and emotional intelligence is our ability to empathise with others.

Spatial intelligence – Reading develops spatial awareness that helps us to judge distances and direction and is also used in map reading, planning building and sports.

Reading Benefits for Adults

Amongst the plethora of great reasons there are to pick up a book or an iPad (depending on your preference), studies and research has shown that reading can also improve memory and boost mental health.

According to Fisher Centre For Alzheimer’s Research Foundation , evidence is mounting up to show that regular participation in activities that provide mental challenges to stimulate the brain such as doing crossword puzzles, playing scrabble, reading and writing may help keep brain function healthy and keep symptoms of Alzheimer’s away.

aifc Admin

Sources:

Studies and research

Keep Reading To Keep Alzheimers At Bay

Cognitive Mental Health Benefits Of Reading

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor who can point you in the right direction.

Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.

Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Free 24/7 Counselling Services

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

• At The beginning of each year in February.
• Mid-Year courses commence in July.

Enrolments open approximately 3 months prior the courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.

Note: A Masters course in Christian counselling will be introduced in 2018.

Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397