Get reading Go on a wild journey
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Your Challenge
This month, read a book about nature. This could be a book about your favourite animal or habitat, or a book written by someone who has been on an adventure in the natural world. There are amazing people who have done incredible things – trekked across deserts, rescued elephants, swum with sharks, tracked polar bears, or dived to the deepest depths. And of course, a book by Sir David Attenborough is always a good read. This challenge is for all ages – reading is important and beneficial to everyone. The best part? You can borrow books for free by making use of your local public library!
Why you're doing this
Reading for pleasure is important to help our brains develop, especially for young children.[1] It also educates us about the world around us, helps us understand different cultures and experiences, and develops empathy.[2] It can also relieve stress, improve wellbeing [3] and help to prevent long-term decline in cognitive function as we age.[4]
How you'll make a difference
Reading about the natural world helps us understand it and sparks our curiosity, encouraging us to feel more connected to nature. And the more connected to nature we feel, the more likely we are to take positive action to protect it.[5]
Track your progress
in the My Footprint App
Track your progress and discover many more challenges in the My Footprint app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
Sources
[1] Sun et al (2023) ‘Early-initiated childhood reading for pleasure: associations with better cognitive performance, mental well-being and brain structure in young adolescence’ Psychological Medicine , Volume 54 , Issue 2 , January 2024 , pp. 359 - 373 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723001381
[2] Literacy Trust https://literacytrust.org.uk/blog/empathy-day-reading-for-pleasure-and-empathy/
[3] Liverpool University https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2016/02/04/research-shows-how-reading-for-pleasure-can-improve-your-life/
[4] National Library of medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8482376/
[5] Mackay and Schmitt (2019) ‘Do people who feel connected to nature do more to protect it? A meta-analysis’ Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol.65, 101323 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101323
[6] Literacy Trust https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-themes/reading/