How reading helps to boost our empathy
There’s nothing better than settling down with a good book
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As well as helping us to relax, researchers have found that reading helps to boost our empathy.
By delving into the lives of the characters on a page, our compassion is heightened – growing our appreciation of others’ emotions, intentions and experiences off the page.
While non-fiction books didn’t have the same effect, romances and thrillers were found to spur the most reflection in both adults and children.
Photograph: iStock