Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison
When was the last time you read a good book? If you’d rather be doing something else, you’re not alone – many people struggle to find the time to read, or find more comfort in television and film; but if you’re part of the 36% of people in England that do not read for pleasure, you could be missing out on a wealth of mental health benefits. According to a study from the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes a day can be enough to reduce stress levels by up to 68%. Different from reading short news articles, or your social media messages – sitting down with a book involves long periods of focus and attention, keeping your mind stimulated and boosting concentration in everyday life. Engaging with the experiences and feelings of others through reading is also associated with higher levels of empathy and improved relationships with others. If you’re looking to revitalise a love of reading, why not take a look at Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime?
Our Functional Skills in English programmes are designed for those looking to improve their reading and writing skills. The course involves learning how to better understand a range of texts, and how to communicate information, ideas and opinions in styles that are suited to different purposes and audiences. More information can be found on our website.