Does Reading Make You Healthier and Happier?

Here is a re-blog of a post about the importance of reading by Drs. Oz & Roizen. I hope you enjoy this post again. I updated it a little bit.

Happy Reading!

BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS

I recently read the column of Drs. Oz & Roizen, titled Reading makes you healthier and happier. Here is partially what Drs. Oz & Roizen had to say.

drs-oz-roizen-blog-post

…But neuromarketing researchers from the University of Sussex’s Mindlab found that reading an old-fashion, open-a-book-and-learn-something text (start with “You: The Owner’s Manual,” revised) or an escape-to-the-beach-novel (try James Michener’s “Hawaii”) for even six minutes a day is more relaxing than listening to music, taking a walk or even (these were English researchers) having a cup of tea. The study says getting into a good read eases muscle tension and slows down your heart rate. That dispels stress and makes your RealAge significantly younger!

In addition, reading keeps your brain sharp, improves sleep and makes you a more interesting social animal. Also, if you know someone, especially a child, who has difficulty with reading, spend some time with them and read aloud together. Lots of kids have a hard time learning to read, so if you’re a parent, grandparent or just a good neighbor, be aware and help them out. You’re giving a gift of learning. Traveling the world through the written word opens doors in the mind and in life?

I think the doctors have something here. In all of my posts I have encouraged parents, grandparents, caregivers, or anyone who knows children who need some help in reading, to read to them.  Not only do children gain from this reading together but also the adult. Spending time reading to a child is more rewarding than one realizes. When children are reading on their own, have them read to you. Reading out loud helps the child understand what he/she is reading and learn the correct sounds of words with your assistance.

There is nothing like the joy in a child’s face as he/she learns a new word and understands what the story is all about. I love to watch my grandson as I read to him. His face lights up and he tries to read along with me as young as he is at three. I am teaching him letters and he is so bright that he is soaking up the knowledge like a sponge. He loves for me to make up stories for him and he listens with wide eyes and a smile. I have been taking care of him since he was a baby and also my granddaughter who now is seven and in first grade.

With my own children I started reading to them early and singing too. They loved reading books and singing nursery rhymes. They still love to read and now encourage their own children (my five grandchildren) to read. I write for them all and they have become my inspiration to write more.

I wrote a book for each of my youngest grandchildren – Lamby the Lonely Lamb for my granddaughter, Leah, and for my grandson, Sebastian – Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey.

My two middle grandsons are the inspiration for my middle-grade/preteen/young adult series, Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Books 1-5. These award-winning books are available along with all Jemsbooks on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Create Space and other online stores.


   

The Case of the Missing Cell Phone (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 1)

The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 2)

The Case of the Magical Ivory Elephant (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 3)

The Case of the Brown Scraggly Dog (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 4)

Here are some reviews of the series:

The Great Mystery Solved! By Allen Smith on September 20, 2015 (*****) (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives, Book 1, The Case of the Missing Cell Phone)

Format: Paperback
When Christine Sander’s who is at Lindon Middle school has a cell phone that comes up missing, who would have thought that two twin fifth graders and their young assistant case worker would begin to solve this perplexing problem. Davey and Derek are twin brothers with personalities as different as night and day. Davey is more the intellectual and Derek more one that tests the limits of life – the daredevil type. Together they set out to solve this perplexing middle school crime, where yes, even the police get involved. With the help of their able-bodied assistant Mickey who is also known as CAT because he can sneak around with no one noticing him, and Kevin, who is a 6th grader the case gets underway at the school lunch table one day. This is a great read for middle school age students that will keep them entertained and guessing all along as to who stole the phone. My nephew would love this book!

If you want to have fun and make wonderful memories, read to your children, and later on have them read to you too. Spread the word about Reading and how it may make you healthier and wiser.

 

By Robert on September 1, 2015 (*****) (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 2, The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat)

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Being a grandparent and an avid reader I am always on the lookout for good clean books for my grandkids. Davey and Derek’s Aunt and Uncle settle in town after years of worldly travel, but there is something different about the Aunt that sets her apart from most Aunts – she is a good witch blessed with the gift of magic – one of which is her long deceased cat whose aura lives on in a crystal ball and still tries to help people. Davey and Derek learn they to have a few magical powers of their own one of which is the cat trying to communicate with them and warn them one of their friends is going to get into serious trouble. The question is can they use this magic and prevent a catastrophe? Cute story – clean- refreshing – and not preachy. The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat will keep a young mind intrigued and reading way past their bedtime.
By Lorraine Price on August 30, 2016 (*****) (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 3, The Case of the Magical Ivory Elephant)

Format: Kindle Edition

Davey & Derek are twin brothers who are celebrating their 11th birthday. They share a gift between themselves called, “twin telepathy.” They also have an aunt named, “Gigi, who happens to be a witch with magical powers. She helps the boys to understand that they have powers of their own and teaches them how to use them.

A theft occurs at a local museum and Davey & Derek decide to use their talents to find the answers to the burglary.

Full of magic and mystery, intrigue and excitement. Such a cute story!

Janice has a theme throughout her book and that is to teach kids how to be polite, kind, and sensitive to other’s feelings.

This is the third in a series of books that she has written and can be enjoyed by itself or as a complete set. Give your child the gift of reading!

By Michele Rolfe on January 1, 2017 (*****) (Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 4, The Case of the Brown Scraggly Dog)

Format: Paperback

The twins are learning a new magic spell & stumble on the Mystery of the brown scraggly dog! The dog has blood on its paw & the clues seem to lead to someone being injured. What Davey & Derek find is NOT what they thought! Love the twists this takes. Very good again, Janice! I am giving an honest review for a copy of the book as an advance reader.

HAPPY READING!  REMEMBER: READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY!  READ AND SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS!

Thank you for stopping by!

Blessings and hugs!

Janice

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About jjspina

Janice is an multi-award-winning author with 42 books: 20 children's books for PS-Gr 4, 12 middle-grade/preteen, two young adult books, written under Janice Spina, and 7 novels, and a short story collection written under J.E. Spina. She is also a writer of poetry, blogger, avid reader, reviewer and a copy editor. Janice has always loved writing and started very young writing poetry, then stories. Her books have received 36 Book Awards and a few finalists awards. All Janice's books are available on Amazon.com, Kindle, B&N and other online book sites. One of her sports' poems was published in The Lawrence Eagle Tribune in October of 2008. She is currently working on book 3 of a YA fantasy series an and book 2 in an angel series. There will be six books in all in this series. She hopes to work on a series of four books in a crime/mystery genre that will be offsprings of her thriller, Hunting Mariah. There are books in the works about a dog for ages YA. Her hobbies are crocheting, sewing, walking to keep fit, hula hooping, tap dancing, going to the movies with her husband, and spending time with her five grandchildren. Janice loves to hear from readers and appreciates reviews. Sign up on her blog http://jemsbooks.blog for a copy of her newsletters under Contact Me. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband who is her illustrator and cover creator.
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32 Responses to Does Reading Make You Healthier and Happier?

  1. Mary Smith says:

    Totally agree, Janice. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like not to read.

  2. I started my grandchildren with cardboard books as soon as they learned coordination and they loved them until a couple years ago. Now, they stick an iPod or iPad in front of their noses now. 🙂

    • jjspina says:

      Yes, kids love technology especially the iPad. My grandkids love it. I read stories from the iPad to them. But most of the time we play games and make up our own stories to encourage their creativity. ❤

  3. Mae Clair says:

    This was a great post, Janice. My parents started reading to me and taking me on weekly trips to the library at a young age. It made all the difference in my life in giving me a love of books and writing. Kudos to you on your books for young readers!

  4. Loved reading to my children, there is so much enjoyment to be had for the parent too! iPads and games do occupy some of my grandchildren’s time, it seems to be distraction TV used to be, though that doesn’t worry me, they do have lots of books too. When they come to Grandma’s for a ‘sleepover’ the end of the day is always the same, bath and a cuddle up in bed with a pile of books. There are several series I am very excited to introduce them too as they get older!

    • jjspina says:

      That”s wonderful! You are enriching their lives and instilling in them the love of reading that will carry through their lives. Are they young? I have children’s book written in rhyme if you are interested to check them out. I write for all ages. http://jemsbooks.com or on http:/Amazon.com/author/janicespina7 my author page. Thanks for stopping by. Keep reading! 🙂

      • Your books look lovely! I will be checking out as many as I can from bloggers this year. My grandchildren are 6 years, 5 years and little Oscar who is 1! When my own children were young we read so many great fun and adventure books. It’s exciting to think of doing it all again and with new books as well as old.

      • jjspina says:

        Thank you. 😃

  5. When I was about 10 I used to make up a story to tell my little brother every day before school – he would then go to school and tell the story to his friends. The teacher told my mother he had a wonderful imagination!

  6. Pingback: Does Reading Make You Healthier and Happier? from Janice Spina | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

  7. Makes so much sense to me. Wonderful post. 💝

  8. This is a great post. Interesting facts and information about the benefits of reading and some super book reviews too. I tweeted this on @bakeandwrite and posted it to my Facebook page @SirChocolateBooks.

  9. jamesrneal says:

    One of my earliest memories is of my father reading me Treasure Island. I read to both my daughters each night when they were little. My 12 year-old now reads at a college level and my 16-year-old keeps taking my books to read. I can’t testify to the health effects, but I know in our house reading brings happiness. Thanks for writing!

  10. tpolen says:

    Always makes me feel better – wonderful post!

  11. macjam47 says:

    Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
    Janice Spina weighs in on the benefits of reading.

  12. dgkaye says:

    Fantastic article Janice. What would life be without books? Certainly reading not only teaches, but offers solace in a great escape. Oh, and I love both those doctors! ❤

  13. I wanted to let you know I posted this article on my blog tonight. But I did give you full credit for it. booksage.blogspot.com

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