Subscribe now

Mind

Blinking may give your brain a micro break during cognitive tasks

When reading a book, we tend to blink over less familiar words, which suggests it may have a cognitive role

By Conor Feehly

31 December 2024

Blinking may do more than just keep our eyes healthy

gaiamoments/Getty Images

Blinking serves a crucial physiological function, by clearing debris from our eyes and keeping them lubricated. But now, scientists have found it may also have a cognitive role.

In 1945, Arthur Hall at the University of Sheffield in the UK reported on the frequency of blinking as people read aloud, finding that it mostly coincided with gaps in the print. He suggested that blinking may help people take pauses as they read.

To expand on…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers