STAN THE M Meet Alicia’s Dog
Self-Help Books Can’t Do It All HOW READING FICTION CAN BENEFIT YOU Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly?
Hello, humans, my name is Stan. People tell me that I’m a pit bull mix, but I just think of myself as a dog. No one knows quite how old I am, and I never learned how to count. I’ve got more important things to worry about, like when my dinner will be ready. A few years ago, I was found on the road with some scars on my body, but I don’t like to talk about it. People brought me to a shelter, but then I stayed there for almost a year — which is seven years in dog years. I guess I was a little too shy, but my mama, Alicia, showed up and took the time to get to know me.
Now I live with her, a dog named Gracie, two cats named Olaf and Elsa, one
other adult human, and some small humans. When I first got here, I really wanted to eat Olaf and Elsa, but Mama wouldn’t let me, even when I explained that they look really tasty. Now, I mostly hang out with Gracie
Greater Empathy When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. Less Stress and Better Sleep When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off. More Comfort With Uncertainty Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. Greater Happiness Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!
because we’re best friends. I also really like the small humans — they’re lots of fun.
Apple and Carr
Fall is harvest season, and with this recipe, even your loyal mutt can partake in some of its greatest flavors.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/2 cup apple, peeled and shredded
1 cup broth of choice
Inspired by CommuniKait.com
WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
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