In what might be the most surprising bit of news I’ve read in a while, I learned that sitting with a book for at least 30 minutes per day has the potential to lead to a longer life. It may also have the potential to maintain cognition and stave off dementia.

Researchers from Yale University concluded that reading books was associated with longer, healthier lives. Looking at data collected from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, they found that reading books for at least 30 minutes per day was associated with living two years longer when compared to nonreaders. They also found that book readers were 23 percent less likely to die than those that only read newspapers and magazines.

What gives books the benefit over newspapers, magazines, Facebook, and Instagram? It could be that books encourage a deeper form of engagement. As opposed to skimming news or rifling through headlines, reading books forces people to pay more attention and use more of their brains.

Or it could be that reading isn’t the factor but rather something about people that read instead. In other words, maybe people that read books are generally calmer, have more free time, or are better educated.

But there could be something to reading, in and of itself.

Research has indicated that reading books may cause people to form greater connections or expand their perception of the outside world. These connections may activate the brain to forge pathways between hemispheres and lobes at a higher rate. Creating and activating neural networks can promote brain health and is closely associated with preventing dementia and cognitive decline. Close, engaged reading may also stimulate greater blood flow in the region.

Sitting quietly and reading a book, not social media, newspapers, or magazines may help boost the length and quality of your life. Reading may just be the most accessible anti-aging tool yet!