Reading seems like a very simple task to do and yet, not many people are fond of reading. Technology has both advanced and hindered the modern generation’s reading process. It has advanced it in such a way that books are no longer necessary for reading. Nowadays, ebooks, pdfs, and epubs are available so that books can be electronically read in your gadgets anywhere you go without it having to take up unnecessary physical space. However, because of technology, the modern generation are not that fond of reading anymore. Many are limited to reading Facebook posts and tweets instead of reading actual books, which is quite unfortunate since reading is very beneficial for your body and mind. If you need more convincing, here are ten reasons why you should read more.
- Mental stimulation
The brain is just like a muscle—it gets stronger with exercise and practice. Reading will keep your brain stimulated and active, thereby preventing mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia from setting in. You need to constantly stimulate your brain in order to keep it strong and healthy. Reading every day is a great way to do so. Other activities such as chess and puzzles are also very helpful with cognitive stimulation.
- Improve verbal abilities
People who read more are better at expressing their thoughts and at getting their point across. Although reading doesn’t guarantee that you’ll become a better communicator, reading can help widen your vocabulary and significantly improve your grammar.
- Increases intelligence
Reading, especially at a very young age, can make a person more intelligent. This is because books contain a lot of knowledge and information that are freely exposed to the reader. In fact, children are exposed to 50% more words through children’s books than through prime time television. Strong early reading skills may mean higher intelligence in later life.
- Boosts empathy
Fiction books, in particular, simulate real-world situations and problems. When readers read such books, their ignorance to the situation is lessened and thus, their empathy is improved. This is especially important for when the reader encounters the problem in real life. They will then be better at handling the situation and will generally be better at empathizing with other people.
- Lose ignorance
You have nothing to lose when you read, except your ignorance. Books exposes you to a wide variety of information that will make you understand situations better, even those you haven’t encountered yet in your life. For instance, reading a book set in France can help you understand their culture better even if you yourself haven’t been to the country.
- Better writer
Reading and writing comes hand-in-hand. The more you read, the better you will be at writing. This is mainly because reading enhances your vocabulary, spelling, and your writing style. Unconsciously, you copy the writing styles of books that caught your attention.
- Reduce stress
A well-written novel can efficiently distract your mind and transport you to another realm, making you feel as if you’re living another life. It can let tensions drain away and make you feel more relaxed, both physically and mentally. No matter what personal struggles you’re going through, it can all slip away through a great story or an engaging article.
- Improves focus and concentration
People who are not fond of reading know how hard it can be to focus on the words on a book and let the outside world fade away. Although it can be hard at first, immersing yourself into the text can strengthen your focus and attention span over time.
- Help you sleep
Creating a bedtime ritual, like reading before sleeping, is a great way to help you sleep. Once you start reading, your body is signalled by your brain to wind down. And because reading helps you relax, the quality of your sleep will be improved as well.
- Improves your imagination
Books are made of words and your brain is responsible for turning those words into moving pictures. The more you practice it, the better your imagination will be. This will improve your creative thinking in general and make you better at coming up with ideas.
