3 mins

People Who Read 30 Minutes A Day Live Longer (And There’s An App To Help!)

What is the secret to longevity? According to researchers, it’s reading!
by Sandra Wu | 2019-02-19

A study conducted by the Yale University School of Public Health confirmed that those who read 30 minutes per day were shown to live 23 months longer than those who don’t read.

This decade-long study involved 3,635 individuals aged 50 or older, chosen based on their reading habits. In the 12-year follow-up period, researchers found that people who read more than 3.5 hours a week were more than 23% more likely to survive.

This is consistent with what we know about the benefits of reading:

“This effect is likely because books engage the reader’s mind more – providing more cognitive benefit, and therefore increasing the lifespan.”- Avni Bavishi, Researcher

A separate study conducted by the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago shows that there is also a correlation between reading and the diminishing likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

And yet, despite the benefits of reading, fewer people than ever are reading books. Luckily, there’s a solution.

Want to read more? There’s an app for that!

According to a study done by the Pew Research Centre in 2016, 26% of Americans haven’t read a book in the past year. This is an 8% increase from when this study was conducted in 2011.

To counter this trend, the Blinkist app was created to preserve people’s love for reading books.

In response to people’s desire for shorter forms of content, Blinkist is an app for people to get a taste for the great nonfiction books out there without reading them in full.

The app provides key insights from over 3,000 nonfiction books that can be read or listened to in 15 minutes or less.

For over 8 million readers worldwide, Blinkist has revitalized their passion for reading and had an overwhelmingly positive impact on their personal and professional lives.

You can get started with the following books:

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less


by Nicholas Boothman
  1. 18 min reading time
  2. audio version available

A guide to connecting, communicating and expanding your social world. This title will teach you how to strike up a conversation with strangers and make them like you. It’ll also show you how to decode even their most subtle gestures.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People


by Stephen R. Covey
  1. 23 min reading time
  2. audio version available

The enormously influential self-help phenomenon that can teach you the principles of effectiveness. Once you make these principles into habits, you’ll be well on your way to more success, both in your personal and your professional life.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck


by Mark Manson
  1. 22 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Live a better life by caring about fewer things. In this book, based on his influential blog, Mark Manson explains the few simple rules that will help anyone lead a happier, less stressful existence.

“The Blinkist app helps me read more books, period. I went from not having any time to read, to discovering four books in one day. The knowledge from which has immediately benefitted my life and career.”- Therese Sivertsson, Business Development Manager

The value that we get from reading is nothing new, as a century-old saying perfectly puts it:

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”- Joseph Addison

Get the Blinkist app to revitalize your love for reading, and, who knows—you just might live a longer and more fulfilled life!

About the writer
Sandra Wu

Sandra Wu is a content ninja who believes in using great content to drive growth. A native of Toronto, she’s made her way to the European startup capital to relish in this truly entrepreneurial environment. Sandra’s recommended read is Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.

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Phone with Blinkist app

What is Blinkist?

Blinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.

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