Page 29 - FWG Issue 1 February 2025

Lifestyle

INCLUDE PAPER BOOKS

IN YOUR READING DIET

n this digital age where screens engagement with the content. People cover, or leafing through the pages. There is
dominate daily life, the idea of reading benefit from the more deliberate pace also the appealing smell of a new novel, or
a physical book, magazine or newspaper of reading paper-based material, which even yellowed ageing parchment.
Imay seem old-fashioned. The Paper enhances the understanding and retention
Manufacturers Association of South Africa of information. This is attributed to reduced Paper books are an ‘organic’ choice
(PAMSA) suggests that reading paper-based distractions and the physicality of paper, Paper books store carbon and since paper is
material can be compared to maintaining a which enhances spatial awareness and derived from wood, it acts as a carbon sink,
healthy diet. allows for pen-to-paper annotations. An storing the carbon dioxide absorbed by
article in Psychology Today entitled The Case trees during their growth. This sustainable
Jane Maloney, executive director of PAMSA, for Paper: Books vs E-Readers, states that cycle continues as harvested trees are
says that just as a balanced diet is vital for our turning pages in a book creates an ‘index’ in replaced with new saplings, ensuring
physical health, so print and paper provide the brain, mapping what we read visually to that wood and paper remain renewable
benefits that nourish the mind in ways that a particular page. resources.
digital formats can’t. “Reading paper books
feeds the mind through a more captivating Just as consistent, healthy eating is key Digital devices are often considered ‘eco-
experience, where readers can absorb ideas to physical well-being, regularly reading friendly’, however e-readers and tablets
and develop a deeper understanding of the paper books cultivates strong mental require significant resources to produce,
material,” she explains. habits such as concentration, memory and irresponsible disposal contributes to
and critical thinking. Eating isn’t just about electronic waste. Additionally, the energy
Digital platforms are notorious for their nourishment; it’s also about savouring used to power and recharge digital devices
distractions such as adverts, hyperlinks taste, texture and smell. Reading paper can add up over time.
and notifications that draw our focus books appeals to our senses in a way that
away from the core content. In contrast, digital books fail to do. It has something to Books help to digitally detox
paper books provide an uninterrupted do with the sensation of running our hands Addiction expert Dr Anna Lembke, in her
reading experience, allowing for deep over a beautifully illustrated or embossed article entitled Constant Craving: How

Fourways Gardens • 27 • February 2025