Reading on a regular basis can be a way to learn new things or escape from the stresses of work and daily life. It also offers a long list of other benefits.
Reading Is Good for Your Brain
Reading can improve your memory, analytical thinking skills and ability to concentrate. It can help you stay mentally sharp and reduce your risk of cognitive decline as you get older.
By reading non-fiction books, you can gain knowledge, learn new skills and expand your vocabulary. Reading can improve your ability to solve problems since you’ll be better able to look at situations from multiple perspectives. Frequent reading can even make you a better writer.
Reading Is Good for Your Mental Health
People who read regularly have been found to have higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression than people who don’t read consistently. Reading an intriguing story can help you unwind after a long, stressful day. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, either a real person or a fictional character, can help you build empathy or feel less alone if the other person’s experiences and feelings mirror your own.
If you read non-fiction, you might become fascinated by a topic that you previously knew little or nothing about or gain information that you can use to solve a problem, advance in your career or just broaden your horizons. Self-help books can provide insights that can help you excel at work or improve your relationships with family and friends.
When you read, you can learn how others have handled situations or problems that are similar to yours. You can be inspired by other people’s successes or avoid mistakes that others have made so you can achieve your goals.
Reading can also be a social activity, whether you read with others or not. Sharing a bedtime story with your kids can be an opportunity to bond and form meaningful connections. If you join a book club, you’ll be able to read a book on your own, then discuss it with others who share your interest and look at the story from different perspectives.
Reading Can Help You Sleep Better
Curling up with a good book before you go to bed can help you relax and improve the quality of your sleep. It’s important to note that reading on a laptop, tablet or phone can make it harder to sleep because of the blue light that electronic devices emit.
Make Reading a Habit
You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of time reading each day to reap the benefits. Consistency is more important than quantity. Find books about subjects that interest you or that you want to learn more about and set aside a little time every day to read. As you begin to see the benefits, you’ll probably be inspired to devote more time to reading.
