THIS is what helped Queen Elizabeth II to stay active even at 96 – Times of India

“My whole life, whether it be short or long, will be devoted to your service.” Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, had said this on her 21st birthday in 1947 on the radio– a promise made to Britain and the Commonwealth nations which she kept until her death on September 8, 2022. She was 96.

With her demise comes the end of an era… However, what’s surprising is that the Queen was working until two days before her death when she formally met Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. “Her Majesty asked her to form a new Administration. Ms. Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” read an announcement by the Royal Family.

Earlier this year, the Queen completed 70 years of her reign thus becoming the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Britain. So, what helped her keep active and going all these years?

Answering this question biographer Bryan Kozlowski recently revealed that Queen Elizabeth II stayed healthy by following some “mental habits”, reported the New York Times. The Queen’s daily routine included reading the newspapers at breakfast every morning, which kept her updated about all important social and political developments. At work, she received a red box every day which contained highly important documents– including the Parliamentary reports and confidential intelligence papers– which she then read and checked through the day. This daily reading habit helped her stay mentally active, even at 96!

It is scientifically proven that reading has many benefits. Some of them are:

1. Reading helps strengthen the brain

2. It not only makes one knowledgeable, but more empathetic too

3. It helps build vocabulary

4. Reading and keeping your mind engaged helps prevent cognitive decline. Many studies show that older people who read or solve math problems daily maintain and improvise their cognitive functioning.

5. Reading before going to bed helps one relax and it aids better sleep.

6. Reading regularly also helps alleviate depression. ‘Reading fiction can allow you to temporarily escape your own world and become swept up in the imagined experiences of the characters. And non-fiction self-help books can teach you strategies that may help you manage symptoms. That’s why the United Kingdom’s National Health Service has begun Reading Well, a Books on Prescription program, where medical experts prescribe self-help books curated by medical experts specifically for certain conditions,’ reports Healthline.

7. Reading regularly increases your lifespan, as per a study!

Queen Elizabeth II’s long life surely was quite inspiring in many ways for every one. If you too wish to lead a long, healthy, and active life like hers, you know what you need to start doing– pick up a book and make reading a daily habit!

READ MORE: Notable books on Queen Ellizabeth II