STATEN ISLAND, N.Y./MANALAPAN, N.J. – The Villas of Manalapan, N.J., is highlighting the health advantages of reading books.

The luxurious healthy-living apartment community for seniors, just 30 minutes from the Outerbridge Crossing connecting to Staten Island, N.Y., recommends that seniors and people of all ages read books, as the practice can provide physical and mental benefits. These health benefits begin in early childhood and continue through your senior years. 

The Villas points to five ways reading books can impact your health in a positive way. Reading books may:

1) BOOST YOUR BRAIN

Research shows reading can change your brain by affecting a complex network of circuits and signals within the brain. One study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure the effects of reading a novel on the brain. They concluded that brain connectivity increased, especially in the part of the brain that responds to physical sensations like movement and pain. 

2) PREVENT COGNITIVE DECLINE

Studies show that seniors who read and solve match problems daily maintain and improve their cognitive function. One study found that people who have engaged in mentally stimulating activities all their lives were less likely to develop the plaques found in the brains of people with dementia. 

3) REDUCE STRESS

Reading can improve stress levels by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of distress, even in as little as 30 minutes. 

4) IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP

Reading is a great addition to a healthy sleep routine. It helps you wind down for bed without extra stimulation from lights or screens.

5) BOLSTER LONGEVITY

One study found that people who read lived around two years longer than those who didn’t read. Another study found that people who read more than 3.5 hours per week were more likely to live longer than those who didn’t read at all. 

Health tip: Pick up a book and start reading. It doesn’t matter what you read as long as you choose something you enjoy. Devote a few minutes each day for reading so you can enjoy the health benefits, as well as the book itself. 

About the Villas

Situated on seven wooded acres in Manalapan, N.J., a short distance from Staten Island, N.Y., The Villas is a luxurious senior apartment community reflecting the ambiance and accommodations of a world-class resort. Offering a range of amenities and services sensitive to the lifestyle, health and daily needs of its residents, the complex – orchestrated by Hackensack Meridian Health – is uniquely focused on wellness and prevention, and ideal for singles and couples alike. The upscale 100,000-square-foot community offers a unique arrangement of supervision and increased healthcare with onsite physician services. Providing for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care on specialized floors, the Villas eliminates the need to relocate elsewhere due to health issues, allowing couples to remain together in a comforting, well-managed, posh environment. The Villas is located at 289 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726. For information, the Villas may be reached at 732-847-3920, contacted via www.villashmh.com/contact, and visited online at www.villashmh.com.

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