Reading is a popular pastime for individuals all around the world – and once a year, book lovers come together to celebrate World Book Day.
In the UK, we celebrate this annual event on the 1st March. Back for a 21st year, World Book Day is organised by UNESCO to encourage children to explore the pleasures of reading. As part of the celebration here in the UK, all primary school children will be sent a book token, and many primary schools allow children to dress up as their favourite book character – so don’t be surprised if you see lots of Harry Potters on their way to school!
Reading helps children develop their vocabulary and broaden their imagination. Good literacy skills also improve their chances of academic success at secondary school – but the advantages of reading aren’t limited to young people. In fact, adults of all ages can benefit from picking up a book.
Dementia is a big concern for many people as they get older, and if you’re aged 65 and over, you are at an increased risk of developing the condition. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia affects one in 14 people over 65, and one in six people over 80 – but there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
The most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion, but stimulating activities such as reading can help keep your brain active and reduce the severity of these symptoms. If someone is already experiencing the symptoms of dementia, they may find it difficult to read long newspaper articles or novels, but short stories or poems could allow them to continue to access the benefits of reading.
Reading has also been shown to have a positive impact on our overall mental health. It can increase our empathy and develop our understanding of ourselves. In fact, those who regularly read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem that those who rarely read or don’t read at all.
This World Book Day, we think everyone should take some time out to sit back and enjoy a good book. At Oak Tree Mobility, your comfort is our priority. Our rise and recline chairs are handmade in Great Britain, and are custom-built to fit you and your home. Our high leg lift feature makes it easy for you to raise your feet above your hips, which can help reduce swelling and improve circulation.
We also don’t think you should have to worry about getting out of your favourite chair – so to help you really relax and unwind, all our chairs include a rise function, which makes it easy to transfer from sitting to standing safely, and without putting pressure on your joints. Request a brochure today, or visit our website to explore our full range of chairs, to make sure you’re able to sit and enjoy your favourite book all year round.
In honour of World Book Day, we also want to hear about your reading experiences. Who was your favourite childhood author? Has a certain story stuck with you for years? Head over to our Facebook page and leave us a comment to let us know how you’ll be celebrating World Book Day 2018.
