Reading is a wonderful pastime, and during the last few days of stifling heat it is an excellent way to while away the hours without overexerting yourself. Reading also comes packed with many beneficial attributes. This column will detail some of the benefits that anyone can reap from reading.
- Stress reduction – stress from your daily life can just slip away when you find yourself in the middle of a great story. A novel can provide distraction from the present, drain away tensions and let you relax.
- Mental stimulation – keeping yourself mentally stimulated has been shown by research studies to slow or possibly prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. Keeping your brain in a state of action and engagement prevents it from dwindling or losing its capacity.
- Increasing your knowledge – who does not want to be smarter and be able to quickly figure out more types of problems? You may not remember every iota you read, but the information deposits knowledge into your brain that you can use to your advantage in the future.
- Expansion of your vocabulary – being articulate and well-spoken can be of great benefit in any aspect of life. It also boosts self-esteem and confidence.
- Increases your awareness – reading about scientific breakthroughs, global events and national and local issues increases the window you see the world through. It helps you understand others better and provides potential topics of conversation.
- Improves your memory – reading a book gives your brain lots to work with and try to remember, including a variety of characters, scenery and surroundings of the characters, the history that is provided, sub-plots that are developing and so on. Every memory you make forges new brain pathways and also strengthens existing ones.
- Improves analytical thinking skills – this is especially true when you are in the habit of reading mysteries that you must carefully think through in order to solve. The pieces of the plot are provided one by one and your brain must try to piece them together to arrive at the solution. This exercise carries over into everyday living to help you solve other problems.Another means of accessing an endless reservoir of information is your wonderful computer. If you and your computer are not currently sharing a harmonious relationship, the Belleville Public Library is pleased to offer free computer workshops for adults. Each session consists of three lessons:
- Welcome to the Computer – September 8 from 2:00-3:30pm;
- Internet for Beginners – September 15 from 2:00-3:30pm;
- Let’s Learn Email – September 22 from 2:00-3:30pm.
- Pre-registration is required for all classes and enrollment is limited. For more information or to register please contact Information Services on the second floor of the library or call 613-968-6731 ext. 2237.
- Additional Dates: October 6, 13, 20 and November 3, 10, 17.
If you are out and about Belleville on August 25th, you may encounter one of our wonderful volunteers participating in a “Tag Day” for Community Care for South Hastings. Please stop and chat to them to learn more about our programs and services, and if possible, leave them with a donation. If you are interested in volunteering for a two hour shift that day, please contact Raven at 613-969-0130.