You may remember the 1972 slogan, ”A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” It was part of a public service announcement for a fund-raising organization affiliated with black colleges and universities. It became a very well-known phrase which could be applied in many different ways and in many contexts.
I would like to apply it to the subject of a recent article on medscape.com —reading. In this case, “mind” refers to the brain, which is, after all, really what the mind is. For most people, reading is a pleasurable activity. It educates us by teaching us the how’s and why’s of many technical projects. It takes us away into a world of romance or fantasy. Or it entangles us in a world of mystery, intrigue, disaster, or espionage. Or it gives us spiritual renewal or peace of mind.
Regardless of purpose, reading is like food to a starving man or an oasis in the desert of loneliness and despair. It has physical and emotional effects that are real and improve our quality of life. In children and teens, “reading is linked to improved attention and executive functioning, and more stable mental health.” In adults, it helps lower stress and loneliness and increase empathy and cognitive function.”
“Reading for the brain, is akin to exercise for the body….getting lost in a page-turner can reap cognitive benefits far beyond the thrill of the chapter…..A six-minute reading session reduces stress levels by 68%.” Later in life, “reading helps guard against cognitive decline and dementia.” The persistent use of the brain by reading actually increases the volume of gray matter and white matter. This is determined by measuring these tissues during MRI images.
Scientific studies have shown that reading affects sections of the brain that support executive control, emotional regulation, and social cognition. It makes us smarter, happier, and more connected to our fellow man. Older adults who read novels for 8 weeks showed better memory performance working on puzzles. Sustained reading can help people grow in ways that allow them to take fuller advantage of life experiences. When you’re engrossed in a story, your everyday worries are momentarily forgotten by the emotional investment made in your reading choice.
People who read fiction demonstrated better social cognitive performance. I’m not sure how that was determined, but reading renews old thoughts, gives you new ideas, and stimulates your imagination. “The evidence supports reading for pleasure and engaging in book clubs are interventions that promote cognitive reserve, resilience, and lifelong mental well-being.”
It really doesn’t matter what you read, be it “War and Peace,” “The Holy Bible,” or the Internal Revenue Service tax code. It will improve your knowledge and your communication skills, and add peace, tranquility, and stability to your life.
Some folks are fast, easy, relaxed readers who choose a variety of subjects to tackle, but are still able to read 109 books a year (my wife in 2025). Some are slow and deliberate and read to learn, underlining or highlighting information they want to retain in their memory (me). Each enjoys it in his/her own way and benefits cognitively, physically and intellectually.
GOOD READING!
Reference: Rubin A. Why reading for pleasure is so vital for the brain. medscape.com 2026 October 15.
