Dr Amir Khan says doing activity for 30 minutes daily boosts brain – not exercise
Dr Amir Khan has shared that there's an activity you can do for 30 minutes a day, and it boots your brain, and may even boost longevity - and it isn't exercising
Everyone knows the importance of daily exercise for the body and mind, but Dr Amir Khan has shared that there's something else you should add to your daily routine because it boosts your brain.
Dr Amir Khan said he wanted to share his "love of reading," noting that not only does he love reading a good book, but it also has a ton of health benefits to boot.
At the moment, he's reading Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, which is one of the most popular books of the summer so far, and he said he's absolutely loving it.
He briefly explained the plot of the book before sharing, "Anyway, I just want to tell you about my love of reading, and why I love reading so much".
So why should you follow Dr Amir's lead by picking up a good book this summer? Here's everything you need to know...
1. It's a workout for your brain
Dr Amir said: "It's really good for your brain from a scientific point of view, because you're exercising different parts of your brain, so it's like a mental brain workout".
He explained: "It activates areas involved in memory, attention, language and imagination, helping to build what’s known as cognitive reserve, which may help protect against cognitive decline as we age."
2. Good for managing stress
Dr Amir said that it's "good for managing stress levels because you get lost in a book". He described this feeling as "really nice". He said it can improve "long-term health" too.
3. It improves empathy
The doctor shared that it's been proven to improve empathy because "you see the world through other people's eyes when you read a book and you get lost in a character".
4. Lower risk of death
One of his "favourite" reasons to read is a large study that "found that people who read books for more than 3½ hours a week had around a 20% lower risk of death during the study period compared with non-readers".
That's just 30 minutes per day to have a significant impact on your life! It's a no-brainer, why wouldn't you give it a go?
Dr Amir pointed out: "It doesn’t prove reading makes you live longer, but it’s another reminder that looking after your mind matters just as much as looking after your body."
Dr Amir said that he tries to get through a book a fortnight, saying he reads a lot "in bed mainly". He ended his video by writing: "So if you ever find me with my nose in a book… this is my kind of self-care".
In the comments, someone suggested a "Dr Amir book club" should be coming as soon as possible.
Others shared their reading experiences, writing: "I love it too! Especially at this time of year, sitting in the garden listening to birds and bees while delving into a good book!
"So relaxing! I also love sitting out in the evenings when it’s so hot and reading until bedtime! I devour books more in the summer, but I do read all year round."
Another penned: "Avid reader here. Yesteryear was my favourite book this year so far. People need to know how good reading is for your health and wellbeing, so thanks for sharing".
