Bookworms live two years longer

[issybird]

I think what struck me most was that the study made no claims of cognitive benefits, but limited itself to the "survival advantage." We see all sorts of games, puzzles, programs that claim to stave off dementia and are even marketed as such (with nothing to back them up), but this is sheer longevity.

[jhowell]

"People who read live longer" doesn't mean that "reading makes you live longer". There may be other explanations. Perhaps those people are just happier because they are doing something they enjoy whereas those who enjoy other hobbies, but can no longer engage in them because of age, are less satisfied with their lives and have less to live for.

[spindlegirl]

I don't disagree with the study, but I've seen similar studies for things like knitting. I'm a lifelong knitter, and sure enough, on Ravelry I've seen post after post about how knitting staves off dementia. The overlap in knitting and reading is that they are not passive hobbies. Both require concentration on what you're doing. and that is always a good thing.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I don't disagree with the study, but I've seen similar studies for things like knitting. I'm a lifelong knitter, and sure enough, on Ravelry I've seen post after post about how knitting staves off dementia. The overlap in knitting and reading is that they are not passive hobbies. Both require concentration on what you're doing. and that is always a good thing.

But what about Sleep-Reading?

[issybird]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I don't disagree with the study, but I've seen similar studies for things like knitting. I'm a lifelong knitter, and sure enough, on Ravelry I've seen post after post about how knitting staves off dementia. The overlap in knitting and reading is that they are not passive hobbies. Both require concentration on what you're doing. and that is always a good thing.

But this study doesn't discuss dementia, only longevity.

Generally speaking. I've seen claims for the cognitive benefits of various activities, but many aren't substantiated although they seem reasonable; then, studies do exist regarding the benefits of certain activities in staving off various effects of ageing. It can be difficult to pin down where certain claims fall on the spectrum: Supported by study > Anecdotal evidence > Seems likely > Totally fabricated.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by issybird

But this study doesn't discuss dementia, only longevity.

Generally speaking. I've seen claims for the cognitive benefits of various activities, but many aren't substantiated although they seem reasonable; then, studies do exist regarding the benefits of certain activities in staving off various effects of ageing. It can be difficult to pin down where certain claims fall on the spectrum: Supported by study > Anecdotal evidence > Seems likely > Totally fabricated.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by Witty Username

Or maybe it is because the bookworm doesn't want to miss the next book in a series, then the next one, and the one after that...

Yeah, my Mom wants to live long enough to read the final book in The Song Of Ice and Fire. She's 82.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Tarana

Yeah, my Mom wants to live long enough to read the final book in The Song Of Ice and Fire. She's 82.

My wife feels the same way and she's 38!

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

This explains my aunt very well. She just turned 98.

The last surviving family member from my parents generation, my Aunt Bern, will turn 98 in January. She reads all the time!

[jhowell]

Most of my family members who are still living are readers, but none of those who have died read anything at all any more. Enough proof for me!

LOL! And I'm guessing that if you read while crossing busy streets are walking around the subway tunnels you might not fit well into that study.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

I think it's because readers park their fat lazy rear ends in comfy chairs.

The guys who die young are the ones who like to run.

Yep, try as hard as they can, they can't outrun cars, wolf packs, or tigers.

[poohbear_nc]

I'm supporting the sheer determination of bookworms to finish the TBR list before they die ... the strength derived from knowing there's still more books to finish ... and the fact they keep adding new titles to the list ...

[IFixKindles]

"Bookworms live two years longer"

Oh No, there are worms in our books and now we can't kill them for two years!

[BelleZora]

As his disease progressed the books went away but he still maintained an insistence on reading the newspaper every morning.

My father had dementia in his last years, but he rarely lost his sense of humor. He told me, "I read the same newspaper every day. It's always news to me. Saves me a lot of money."