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?
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!
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.
You Can Have Your Candy and Eat It Too!
THE SECRET TO MAINTAINING DENTAL HEALTH
Candy is one of the largest and most fun parts about Halloween. However, the sugar in your Halloween candy can play some damaging tricks on your teeth! When you consume candy, bacteria within your mouth eats away at the sugar. When this happens, an acid is produced that causes decay and cavities. However, as long as you are flossing daily and brushing twice a day, you don’t need to sit Halloween out — you just need to be careful with what you eat and how you clean your teeth afterward. The Most Tooth-Friendly Candies Chocolate is the best candy choice because it isn’t sticky, and it washes off of your teeth well after you indulge. Dark chocolate contains less sugar than other types of chocolate, and
we know that when there is less sugar, less acid is produced in your mouth.
to avoid long-term exposure to these types of candies.
Not So Tooth-Friendly Candies Sticky candies such as jelly beans and gummies should be avoided or eaten in moderation if you just cannot resist! The sticky residue tends to get trapped in the crevices of your teeth and can lead to cavities and decay. Hard candy, such as lemon drops or Jolly Ranchers can break your teeth as you bite down on them, so instead of chomping down, try to suck on them instead. Sour candies tend to be very high in acid content, which can cause cavities. Candy that lingers in your mouth for a while, such as lollipops, gives the sugar a long time to cause damage to your teeth. If possible, try
While all candy is fun and tasty, if you pick out your favorites and give the rest away, you are not only helping to curb your sweet tooth, but you are saving your teeth from potential damage! The more often you brush your teeth, the less time you give bacteria and acid to damage your teeth. So, if you are able, be sure to brush
and floss after enjoying some Halloween candy and don’t forget to always brush your teeth before bed!
Trick or treat!
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