Reading is good for more than just entertainment. Committing part of every day to reading printed books can make you a smarter， kinder， more relaxed individual. And the positive effects can be felt at any age： Even before theyve fully developed their reading skills， kids can benefit from having access to printed materials and being read to on a regular basis. Exposing kids to books， magazines， and more at an early age is a great way to encourage them to be life-long readers， and theyll reap the benefits of reading for years to come.

阅读的好处不仅在于娱乐消遣。每天花一点时间来阅读纸质书可以使你成为一个更聪明、更友善、更放松的人。这样积极的效果不论是哪个年龄段的人都能感受到：孩子即使在充分开发自己的阅读能力之前，仍然可以通过接触纸质书和经常听大人给他们读书而获得益处。让孩子从小就接触图书、杂志等阅读材料，是一个鼓励他们成为终身阅读者的好方法，而且他们将在未来的日子里享受到阅读的好处。

1. Reading can boost intelligence.

阅读能促进智力发展。

A study found that people who exhibit strong reading skills early in life grow up to be more intelligent. The study measured the cognitive development of 1，890 sets of identical twins. When two twins shared the same genes and home environments， early reading skills appeared to be the factor that decided which twin would be better at both verbal tests （like vocabulary） and non-verbal tests （like reasoning tests）. Because reading ability is something thats learned， the study authors concluded that more emphasis should be placed on childrens development of reading skills.

一项研究发现，在童年时期展现出很强的阅读技能的人，长大之后会更加聪明。该研究比较了1890对同卵双胞胎的认知发展。当一对双胞胎享有相同的基因和家庭环境时，早期的阅读技能似乎是决定双胞胎中的哪一个在语言测试（如词汇）和非语言测试（如推理）中表现更好的因素。因为阅读能力是习得的，所以研究者总结道，孩子阅读能力的培养应该得到更多的重视。

2. Reading helps increase empathy.

阅读能帮助提升同理心。

Reading books doesnt just make you smarter—it can make you a kinder person as well. According to a study， people who consume good literary fiction have an easier time sensing and relating to emotions in other people. This effect likely has something to do with the way such books are written： Great literature forces readers to step outside themselves and empathize with the characters theyre reading about.

閱读不仅使你变得更聪明，也可以让你成为一个更善良的人。一项研究表明，阅读优秀的文学作品的人更容易在情感上感知他人，并产生认同感。这种现象可能与这种作品的写作方式有关：优秀的文学作品迫使读者走出自我，并与自己阅读作品中的人物产生共鸣。

3. Reading can lower stress.

阅读可以降低压力。

Feel stressed at the end of a long day？ Cracking open a book is a good way to wind down. A study found that reading for just 30 minutes has similar stress-reducing effects to doing 30 minutes of yoga.

在漫长的一天之后感到身心疲惫？打开一本书是让你放松下来的好办法。一项研究发现，阅读30分钟与做30分钟瑜伽有同样的减压效果。

4. Reading may change

your brain.

阅读可能会改变你的大脑。

Even after you put down a book， the effects of reading it are still present in your brain. A study discovered that when people read fiction with a strong narrative and plot， their brains continue to behave differently hours and even days later. This suggests that reading can train the mind and boost neural function through a process thats similar to muscle memory.

即使是在你放下一本书之后，阅读它的影响仍然在你的大脑中存在。一项研究发现，当人们阅读具有大量的叙事和情节的小说时，他们的大脑会在接下来的几个小时甚至几天里持续表现异常。这说明阅读可以锻炼大脑，并且通过与肌肉记忆相类似的过程促进神经功能的发展。

5. Reading is an excuse to put

your phone away at night.

阅读是一个晚上远离手机的好理由。

If youre too busy to read during the day， consider making snuggling up with a good book as part of your bedtime routine. Reading a physical book before going to bed is a great alternative to scrolling through your phone. Research has shown that smartphone use at night makes it harder for people to fall asleep and leads to an overall decline in sleep quality. Some experts say reading books can have relaxing effects， making it the ideal bedtime activity.

如果你在白天忙得无暇阅读，可以考虑将读一本好书当作每日睡前惯例。睡前读一本纸质书是代替看手机的好方法。研究表明，夜间使用智能手机会令人难以入睡，从而导致人们的睡眠质量整体下降。一些专家表示，阅读书籍可以产生放松效果，因而是一项理想的睡前活动。

6. Reading helps families bond.

阅读有助于增进家庭关系。

Reading doesnt have to be a solitary activity. When parents read out loud to their children， they can pass on the benefits of reading and encourage meaningful interactions. To help kids get the positive effects of reading， parents should stick to physical picture books. A study found that printed books， in contrast to tablets and e-readers， can promote the deepest connections between caretakers and children.

阅读不一定是一个人进行的活动。当父母为孩子大声读书时，他们不但可以向孩子传递阅读的好处，而且可以鼓励孩子进行有意义的互动。为了让孩子获得朗读所带来的积极效果，父母应该坚持使用实体图画书。一项研究发现，与平板电脑和电子阅读器相比，印刷书籍可以促进看护人与儿童之间最深层的联系。

Word Bank

access /'?kses/ n. （使用或见到的）机会，权利

expose /?k'sp??z/ v. 使接触；使体验

We want to expose the kids to as much art and culture as possible.

emphasis /'emf?s?s/ n. 重视；重要性

wind down 喘口氣

boost /bu?st/ v. 使增长；使兴旺

alternative /??l't??n?t?v/ n. 可供选择的事物