After the rest days in Madrid, my week was quite entertaining and busy.
I had a total of 12 live events and interviews to promote flow! summit 2024, which allowed me to connect with very interesting people and engage in inspiring conversations full of wisdom.
However, most of my week’s highlights relate to a different theme, reading.
In the middle of the week I read the results of a study that analyzed the impact of reading on the brain, which motivated me to do some research on the subject and to dust off some notes and ideas that I will share with you below.
These are my 6 highlights of the week.
H1: The impact of reading on our brain
One of the first memories I have with my father is sitting on his lap learning to read. Reading, for as long as I can remember, has been present in my life, and it is something that I not only love, but also inspires me.
Last Wednesday, the preliminary results of a study that analyzed the brain activity (specifically of the left temporal lobe) of 6 groups of readers were shared with me:
- Those who read 10 pages of a book with no time limit, every night before going to sleep, for 30 days.
- Those who read 10 pages of a book in 20 minutes or less, every night before bedtime, for 30 days.
- Those who read 20 pages of a book without time limit, every night before going to sleep, for 30 days.
- Those who read 20 pages of a book in 40 minutes or less, every night before bedtime, for 30 days.
- Those who read 30 pages of a book, every night before going to sleep, for 30 days.
- Those who read 30 pages of a book in 1 hour or less, every night before bedtime, for 30 days.
The temporal lobes are located in the lower part of each hemisphere (behind the ear) and play a crucial role in various cognitive functions, such as hearing, memory, language processing and the recording of new memories.
In addition, some studies link this brain region to the regulation of emotions and the ability to recognize faces, shapes and objects.
A decade ago, research led by Gregory Berns suggested that the habit of reading 30 pages (per day, during the night) was responsible for the strengthening of the left temporal lobe, however, this new study seems to show that reading at a rate of 1 page every 2 minutes generates the same impact on the left temporal lobe regardless of the number of pages read.
Both studies do agree that the most effective time for reading is at night.
I personally am used to reading early in the morning and writing in the evening, but seeing these results convinced me to change my routine.
Just this week I started practicing reading at night, as it seems evident that it has a tremendous positive impact on our brains.
Here’s to reading more at night 😀
H2: Other benefits of reading
After reading the results of the study, I wanted to do some research on the (documented) benefits of reading as a daily habit. These are the main ones I found, with which I also feel totally identified:
- As I explained in H1, it helps strengthen your brain.
- It also helps to reduce stress.
- Expand your knowledge.
- Developing the habit of reading helps you improve your memory.
- It also improves your concentration.
- Frequent reading also has a positive impact on the way you express yourself and your communication skills.
- And lastly and most importantly, improve your mental health.
Here’s to reading more (at night, don’t forget 😀).
Reading besides fascinating me, inspires me to create and write. For that reason, I have a BIG file with notes, ideas and excerpts from the books I have read throughout my life.
And since this week’s highlights were about reading, I decided to review my notes on the subject, and I found 2 little pearls that fit like a glove.
H3: New circuits, old wisdom
About 25 years ago, in the book “In the Palaces of Memory” by George Johnson, I read one of the prefaces that had the greatest impact on me:
"When you read a book or have a conversation, the experience causes physical changes in your brain.
In a matter of seconds, new circuits are formed, memories that can forever change the way you think about the world.
I find that idea so amazing that for the past three years I've had a hard time sustaining interest in anything else!
Johnson wrote the book in the late 1980s and it was published in 1991. I don’t know if you would have had access at that time, to any studies or information that would validate your assertion that reading causes physical changes in the brain, I suppose so. However, it never ceases to fascinate me that science validates (or proves) theories or ideas that have been handed down by our ancestors for hundreds of years.
Fascinating!
H4: Emerson’s rules
In his essay “Reading”, Ralph Waldo Emerson shares his 3 rules when it comes to reading:
- Never read a book that is less than a year old (because only good books survive).
- Never read books that are not famous (same reason).
- Never read anything you don’t like.
Honestly, I only agree with number 3, but probably these rules would have made sense in the 19th century, who knows.
What do you think? 🤔
H5: Three thoughts (and tips)
Throughout my life, I have collected ideas and notes from 1,117 books, yet I have probably started and abandoned hundreds of others that did not captivate me.
When I was younger, I highlighted and wrote lots and lots of things that I never got to use, or even re-read. From what I learned in these years of reading, there are 3 reflections I want to share with you:
When taking notes or extracting ideas, always ask yourself how you will use that information or how you can incorporate it into your life (so you don't forget it).
A lot of people highlight books, for me, that never worked. What has worked best for me is to take notes with my words and reread them a week after finishing the book.
If after reading a whole chapter, the book has not caught my attention and is not interesting, I stop reading it and move on to the next one.
Maybe some of these tips resonated with you, or maybe you have your own rules when it comes to reading, however, there is one small thought I want to share with you:
The most important thing is not how many books you read, but how you use the information to make a positive impact on your life.
Always take information to action!
H6: Flow
Today I am closing this newsletter, with some of the interviews and live interviews we have done about the flow! summit. Check out the titles, and if there is one that catches your attention, I recommend you watch the entire interview because you will surely find a message for yourself.
The life mission as a response to feeling lost in life – with Grisy Nava
Yoga and Mindfulness to flow – with Vanessa Gonçalves
How do I transform my life to get the results I want? – with Maritza Rodriguez
Until next Sunday, with 6 new highlights ❤️
Feedback? I would love to hear from you. Remember that you can contact me at any time through vladimir@younity.one.
