Reading is an enjoyable activity and one of the best ways to relax. But did you know there are 8 surprising reasons you should read? There are so many benefits from opening a book
It’s also been shown to have many positive effects on your physical and mental health, including better sleep, increased vocabulary and knowledge base, improved memory, and increased empathy, and awareness of the world around you.
In this article we’ll explore some of the benefits of reading in more detail so you can make an informed decision about whether reading is right for you—and if so, how much time should be spent reading each day (hint: at least 30 minutes)
1. Reading Is Relaxing Way To Escape Your Worries
Reading is relaxing and a way to escape from your worries and forget about your problems for a little while. You can read for pleasure or you can read for information, but either way, reading can help you take time out from your day-to-day life and relax. It doesn’t matter if it’s a book, magazine, or even a blog article—any type of reading material can give you the gift of peace and quiet when you need it the most! these are a few of the reason why reading is relaxing
Related:21 Inspiring self-growth books to become your best self
2. Reading Can Help You Sleep Better.
Reading reduces stress and is also a great way to relax before bed. Reading can help you wind down from the day, which can make it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Reading a book before bed allows your mind to focus on something other than the day’s activities and stresses, so it’s easier to relax and go to sleep. There is so many benefits of reading
3. Reading Helps You Remember Things In The Long Term.
Reading books is a great way to keep your mind sharp. It’s been shown that reading can help you remember things in the short term, but it also helps you remember things in the long term. If you read an article about a topic and then come across that same information, later on, you’ll be able to recall it more easily than if you hadn’t read the article in the first place. This is called “long-term potentiation,” which sounds fancy but just means that your brain remembers things better when new information has been introduced through reading (or any other activity).
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss
4. Reading Improves Your Vocabulary and Knowledge Base
Reading makes you smarter, but how? Reading improves your vocabulary and is a great way to learn new words and ideas. When you read, it exposes you to new words in a variety of contexts and situations. This helps you understand the meaning of each word based on usage, not just by memorizing its definition.
In addition, reading improves your knowledge base by exposing you to different ideas that allow for a greater appreciation for life experiences as well as cultural differences among people from different regions or countries around the world
5. Reading Helps You Become More Empathetic
Reading helps you become more empathetic and more aware of the world around you. It gives you a new perspective on life, allowing you to imagine what it must be like for other people, who have different backgrounds from yours. This can make understanding those differences much easier, which is important when trying to get along with others.
The ability to understand other cultures is one of the benefits of reading books. You may never get the chance to go abroad or visit another country, but if there’s something written about them in a book then at least that information is available! By expanding our knowledge of the world and the people in it, we become more patient and curious about different cultures and their customs.
6. Reading Can Make You More Disciplined
Reading is an activity that involves discipline. You have to set aside a certain amount of time each day or week in order to read. You don’t just read when it’s convenient—you do it when it is less convenient as well.
Reading requires patience because it takes time for a book to be completed and there are no quick fixes when reading a book. For example, if you stop reading halfway through the chapter because you get bored or tired, then you will have to start at that point again later on in order for your brain not to forget what was previously discussed in the chapter (and probably even before).
7. Helps Prevent Age-Related Cognitive Decline
The benefits of reading books for your mental health are well-known, but there’s actually a lot of evidence that reading can help prevent age-related cognitive decline.
It does this by
- improving memory
- helping you learn new things
- keeping you mentally sharp
- reducing stress.
This is because when we read a book we create new neural pathways in our brains that strengthen our cognitive abilities. This is particularly important for older people, who are more likely to experience age-related cognitive decline.
By reading regularly we can improve our memory and learning ability, which helps prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
8. Helps Reduce Stress
Reading can be a great way to reduce stress, as well as help you feel more positive and connected. Reading for just 6 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure and release tension in your muscles.
According to a Study in 2009 study by the University of Sussex researchers, reading for just a few minutes can reduce your stress by 68%.
When you read your mind is distracted from your everyday life and has a break to unwind. Just like any other muscle in your body, your brain needs to rest from overthinking all day which is why reading reduces stress.
How to Get More Reading Throughout Your Day
Reading is truly an invaluable skill that can help you in all areas of your life. Whether it’s something as simple as improving your vocabulary, or as complex as learning how to optimize your happiness levels, there are countless benefits to being a reader.
The key is finding what works for you. That could be reading fiction books on the beach, nonfiction books while commuting on public transit, listening to audiobooks while running, or cooking dinner—the possibilities are endless!
Some perfect go-to options
- Read more books.
- Read more magazines.
- Read more articles.
- Read more newspapers.
- Read more blogs.
- Listen to an Audio Book
To Sum Up
Reading is a great way to improve your health and well-being. It can help you sleep better, boost your immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, and reduce pain and headaches — not to mention improve your mental health by boosting memory and cognitive function. Start reading more books today!
