Unplug and Deep Read your way to a Healthier Mind

Submitted by Bubbling Sprin… on

Did you know? All of the web surfing and online reading we engage in is changing how our brains function when it comes to our conventional reading abiliites. It’s true, and it’s not just you who might be having more difficulty concentrating when you read something "offline," like a serious novel or a detailed work of nonfiction. Still, you don’t have to let all of today’s digital distractions keep your intellect from being its laser-sharp best.

Avoiding the path of least resistance and reading “deep” can prevent atrophy of the neural circuits your brain needs to stay on its A-game. Yes, reading a linear, text-based book, one without the possible diversions hyperlinks bring into the experience, forces your mind to stay focused. That clarity transfers over to other activities.

So don’t let all of the omnipresent attentional junk food of these days turn your frontal lobe into a couch potato. If you set your mind to it,  your cerebral cortex can be as ripped as vintage Schwarzenegger. So get after it ! A strenuous read is basic training for your mind, soldier! Like Pilates for your parietals, people!  A bench press for your brain.  An ice bath for your understanding. A nice long hike for your concentration.

Go ahead, check out a book. When you finish it, reward yourself by entering our Adult Summer Reading Contest for a chance to win a new Chromebook. (I know you didn't miss the irony  of that, did you  Reader One?)

Better yet, learn all about our beloved City of Angels, fires, libraries--and  fires in libraries in the City of Angels--with a copy of our One County, One Book title The Library Book by Susan Orlean. Then, get ready to participate in any of the very special OCOB events to follow, including an appearance by the author at CSUCI on November 2nd. Now, rest assured you are well on your way to keeping you and your brain, as healthy as possible.

Audience