10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day
Books are man’s best companion. But in this busiest and realistic world, we are being apart day by day from our best companion. When was the last time you read a book or a substantial magazine article? Do your daily reading habits centre around tweets, Facebook updates, or the directions on your instant oatmeal packet?
If you’re one of the countless people who don’t make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out.
Even if you have read one good book in your life, you will know what reading gives. It gives you incomparable pleasure. While there is no doubt about the fact that reading is a priceless activity, it has been observed that the habit of reading has declined of late. One of the main causes of this decline is the growth of technology.
In the 21st century where we are inundated with a lot of resources and information, finding books to read and cultivating a reading habit becomes easier. The world has reached a stage where you have to acquire many skills in order to meet up with daily exigencies of one’s profession. Reading is a valuable habit one must inculcate to excel in one’s career, whether as an academic or an entrepreneur, reading books contributes immensely to your career.
Reading has a significant number of benefits, and I’ll discuss 10 benefits of reading to get you to start reading.
But before starting my discussion, I would like to make you clear that this is a quite long article. You have to be patient to reach the end.
Your journey through this article: At a glance
- 10 Reasons:
01. Reading books gives knowledge, builds vocabulary, and develops critical thinking skills
02. Reading books improves your brain, memory and imagination
03. Reading books improves writing skills, communication skills and other Skills
04. Reading books reduces stress, helps you sleep better and improves health
05. Reading books improves focus and concentration, creativity and morals
06. Reading book is portable and affordable entertainment which save money
07. Reading books are better than movies, no side effects of the digital world and lots of choices to choose from
08. Reading book is a fruitful hobby, makes you more empathetic and smarter
09. Reading books gives you motivation, socialization and helps you to build self-esteem
10. Reading books helps you to learn about your history, about another world and learn at your own pace
Final Thoughts
Ok, now we can start our journey! For a better understanding, I would like to briefly discuss 10 benefits of reading. Here they are:
01. Reading books gives knowledge, builds vocabulary, and develops critical thinking skills:
One of the biggest reasons why we read books is to gain knowledge. Books are a rich source of information and afford you the opportunity to broaden your horizon. Reading books on varied subjects imparts information and increases the depth of the subject as well. Whenever you read a book, you learn new information that otherwise would not have known.
Everything you read fills your head with new bits of information, and you never know when it might come in handy. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to tackle any challenge you’ll ever face. It also ensures that you at least know something about everything.
Additionally, here’s a bit of food for thought: should you ever find yourself in dire circumstances, remember that although you might lose everything else—your job, your possessions, your money, even your health—knowledge can never be taken from you.
Reading improves your vocabulary and command on the language. As you read, you come across new words, idioms, phrases and writing styles.
The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and they’ll inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary.
Being articulate and well-spoken is of great help in any profession, and knowing that you can speak to higher-ups with self-confidence can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem. It could even aid in your career, as those who are well-read, well-spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics tend to get promotions more quickly (and more often) than those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs, and global events.
Reading books is also vital for learning new languages, as non-native speakers gain exposure to words used in context, which will ameliorate their own speaking and writing fluency.
One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop critical thinking skills. For example, reading a mystery novel sharpens your mind. Critical thinking skills are crucial when it comes to making important day to day decisions. Reading requires an individual to think and process information in a way that watching television can’t. The more you read, the deeper your understanding becomes about what you’re reading and its application.
Have you ever read an amazing mystery novel, and solved the mystery yourself before finishing the book? If so, you were able to put critical and analytical thinking to work by taking note of all the details provided and sorting them out to determine “whodunnit”.
That same ability to analyze details also comes in handy when it comes to critiquing the plot; determining whether it was a well-written piece if the characters were properly developed, if the storyline ran smoothly, etc.
Should you ever have an opportunity to discuss the book with others, you’ll be able to state your opinions clearly, as you’ve taken the time to really consider all the aspects involved.
Executing projects, writing reports or solving a problem, your analytical skills will come in handy. One of the most effective ways to improve your analytical skills is to be an active reader. Reading books exposes you to new ideas, it requires you to think and process information which ultimately improves your overall analytical skills.
02. Reading books improves your brain, memory and imagination:
Studies have shown that reading has strong positive effects on the brain. By staying mentally stimulated, you can prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer and dementia are two diseases that affect the brain and the symptoms include memory loss, forgetfulness and limited social and thinking abilities. Studies have proved that these mental conditions can be prevented if the brain is stimulated regularly. This is because keeping your brain active prevents it from losing power. The brain is a muscle and like other muscles in the body, exercise keeps it strong and healthy. Similar to solving puzzles, reading books is a great way to exercise your brain and keep it healthy. Reading books has been proven to be a plausible way to keep the brain active.
When you read a book, you have to remember an assortment of characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, history, and nuances, as well as the various arcs and sub-plots that weave their way through every story. That’s a fair bit to remember, but brains are marvellous things and can remember these things with relative ease.
Amazingly enough, every new memory you create forges new synapses (brain pathways) and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory recall as well as stabilizing moods. How cool is that?
The more you read, the more imaginative you become. Whenever you read a fiction book, it takes you another world. In the new world, your imagination works at its best as you try to see things in your own mind.
As you read, you put yourself in the characters’ shoes. Your brain goes beyond the words on the page, imagining details such as appearances, emotions, and surroundings. William Styron wrote, “A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”
03. Reading books improves writing skills, communication skills and other Skills:
Reading a well-written book affects your ability to become a better writer. Exposure to published, well-written work has a noted effect on one’s own writing, as observing the cadence, fluidity, and writing styles of other authors will invariably influence your own work.
In the same way that musicians influence one another and painters to use techniques established by previous masters, so do writers learn how to craft prose by reading the works of others. Many successful authors gained their expertise by reading the works of others. So, if you want to become a better writer, start by learning from previous masters.
Reading also enhances your vocabulary and spelling. New words appear in their natural context and you can deduce meaning from the surrounding words, while visually imprinting their spelling for accurate recall.
In short, when you read, your brain absorbs good writing techniques and vocabulary. In your own writing, you will unconsciously copy the writing styles of books that held your attention.
Improving your vocabulary and writing skills goes hand in hand with developing your communication skills. The more you read and write, the better you communicate. Increasing your ability to communicate, improves your relationships and even makes you a better employee or student.
The importance of good communication skills cannot be overemphasized. Whether you are discussing with a client or you are speaking at a social gathering, communicating effectively is very essential. Through books, you learn new words and improve your vocabulary which helps you articulate your thoughts properly. This skill is crucial in maintaining a relationship and become a better person both in your career and personal life.
The knowledge you gain from reading also gives you lots to talk about with others. I love talking to people – especially little kids – who read a lot. Their conversation tends to be deep, and it makes me grin when little ones use fancy words they found in a book.
Reading is a fundamental skill builder. For every good course on earth, there is a matching book to go with it. Books provide important information on various subjects and topics. The best thing about reading is that you can go deeper than what to learn in a classroom discussion. Whether it’s cooking, dancing, or even cleaning, you can always improve your skills by reading books.
Reading about your specific field or interests can improve your success in your field. You’ll gain factual knowledge and learn from others’ experiments and mistakes. Several years ago I became interested in herbs and natural medicine and turned to books since I didn’t have a herb garden. For months I poured over her books, drinking in knowledge. When I was able to grow my own herbs, I avoided multiple experiments and failures because of my reading. I knew that peppermint is good for upset stomachs and comfrey heals cuts. So I made tea with my peppermint and a salve with the comfrey.
04. Reading books reduces stress, helps you sleep better and improves health:
Reading has a positive effect on the body as well. Reading a book can relieve stress better than taking a walk or listening to music. According to studies who read more tend to have lower stress levels.
Reading about something you enjoy or losing yourself in a good novel is an excellent way to relax. It can ease tension in your muscles and heart while letting your brain wander to new ideas and live in someone else’s shoes. Reading is a mini-vacation for your brain!
As you can see, reading is good for you – very, very good for you. It can improve your academic, social, physical, and spiritual life. With these persuasive facts running through your mind, it’s the perfect time to dive into this year reading goals! Here are some ideas to get you started.
No matter how much stress you have at work, in your personal relationships, or countless other issues faced in daily life, it all just slips away when you lose yourself in a great story. A well-written novel can transport you to other realms, while an engaging article will distract you and keep you in the present moment, letting tensions drain away and allowing you to relax.
Poor sleep leads to low productivity. This is why so many experts recommend that you establish a regular de-stressing routine before you sleep to help calm your mind and therefore sleep better. Reading a book is one of the best ways to calm yourself before you go to bed. Instead of watching television or spending too much time on your smartphone while in bed, take some time to read. The bright lights from the electronic devices will only affect your sleep. On the other hand, a book will help you sleep better.
There are thousands, if not millions, of great self-help books. Many of these books can actually help improve your health. Reading such books reduces levels of depression. People with severe depression can benefit from reading self-help books. Apart from this, such books offer important tips on exercising, dieting and other healthy lifestyle tips. All this leads to improved mental and physical health.
05. Reading books improves focus and concentration, creativity and morals:
In our busy lifestyles, our attention is drawn in different directions each day as we try to multi-task through each day. For example, you may find yourself dividing your time between working on a task, chatting with people via Skype, checking email, keeping an eye on Facebook and interacting with your colleagues. All this multi-tasking can lead to high-stress level and low productivity. When you read a book, all your attention is focused on what you’re reading. Your eyes and thoughts are immersed in the details of the story. This improves your concentration and focus. Read a book at least 20 minutes a day, and you will be amazed at how much more focused you will be.
Additional information: if you find staying focus hard and re-trying to improve your focus, it’s possible you’ve been doing it wrong.
The biggest difference between reading and watching television is that reading gives you the scope to unleash your creativity. The more you read, the more you learn new things. New thoughts always stretch our minds to rediscover life in new and better ways. We start to see the world in a different way and this way we find new creative solutions.
Books help us better discern good ideas from bad ideas. Reading a book allows us to learn about different approaches to life and the problems we face. By doing this, you get an opportunity to discern what has worked in the past and what has not worked. Basically, you learn to make better decisions in life.
06. Reading book is portable and affordable entertainment which save money:
Books are portable and light in weight. They are not like bulky computers and games that take too much space. With a book, you can pack it in your handbag and easily carry it everywhere. You can read anywhere, on a plane as you travel, in your bed before you sleep, under a shade as you relax, or even during your holiday.
Compared to other forms of entertainment, books are quite affordable. You will never get a movie ticket for $8-$10. But, with this money, you can buy yourself a book and be entertained for many hours.
Though many of us like to buy books so we can annotate them and dog-ear pages for future reference, they can be quite pricey.
For low-budget entertainment, you can visit your local library and bask in the glory of the countless tomes available there for free. Libraries have books on every subject imaginable, and since they rotate their stock and constantly get new books, you’ll never run out of reading materials.
If you happen to live in an area that doesn’t have a local library, or if you’re mobility-impaired and can’t get to one easily, most libraries have their books available in PDF or ePub format so you can read them on your e-reader, iPad, or your computer screen.
There are also many sources online where you can download free e-books, so go hunting for something new to read!
There’s a reading genre for every literate person on the planet, and whether your tastes lie in classical literature, poetry, fashion magazines, biographies, religious texts, young adult books, and self-help guides, test preparation books, street lit, or romance novels, there’s something out there to capture your curiosity and imagination.
Step away from your computer for a little while, crack open a book, and replenish your soul for a little while.
Apart from being inexpensive, you will also save a lot of money by reading books. Books don’t require electricity, neither do they need any form of maintenance. When you read a book on a certain skill, such as cooking, woodwork, or simple DIY tasks, you save yourself the money you would have used to hire a contractor. You not only learn new skills but also save yourself a lot of expenses.
07. Reading books are better than movies, no side effects of the digital world and lots of choices to choose from:
So many movies have been adapted from books. But, if you read a book and then watch its movie, you will agree that the book is 100 times better than the movie. There is always that unique part, like what a character is thinking, that a movie can never capture.
Spending too much time watching television or playing video games can affect your eye health in the long run. On the other hand, books are safe and easy. No one has ever gone blind from reading too many books. There are no known side effects or dangers of reading great books. All there is are benefits.
There are so many great books to read that you will never finish them all in a lifetime. Books have been written for centuries, right now, someone is writing a book, and in the future, books will still be written. Whether you’re looking for something to inspire you, something to make you laugh, romance or even gaining a new skill, there are countless books for that. All you need is to take some time and pick which one to read. There will never be a shortage of great books.
08. Reading book is a fruitful hobby, makes you more empathetic and smarter:
Reading books keep us occupied. It also leads to a fruitful use of time. It not only helps us get rid of worries but also diverts our mind from monotony. Books are excellent sources of recreation. Someone who loves to read can never get bored, as this is a perfect way to rid of boredom. As books take you to another different world, you relax and rejuvenate.
According to studies, losing yourself in books, especially fiction, might increase your empathy. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, researchers showed that people who were “emotionally transported” by a work of fiction experienced a boost in empathy. By reading a book, you become part of the story and feel the pain and other emotions of the characters. This, in turn, allows your mind to become more aware of how different things affect other people. Eventually, this improves your ability to empathize with other people. So, go ahead and read that story, a world with more empathetic people would definitely be a better place!
With so much to learn from books, people who read regularly tend to be smarter than those who don’t. They tend to have an open mind and are more aware of their surroundings.
09. Reading books gives you motivation, socialization and helps you to build self-esteem:
Life is full of challenges. As we move through different phases in different ages, a little motivation can be of great help. Reading inspirational books about life experiences can change our lives. Reading a good book, such an autobiography keeps you encouraged and you also learn tips to help you achieve your personal goals. Basically, you get inspired to become a better husband, wife, daughter, son, mother, father or even employee.
When you read a book with a concurring worldview, it reinforces your convictions. If you read a book with an opposing worldview, it broadens your perspective and causes you to examine your beliefs and search for truth. Recently I’ve been savouring Ted Dekker’s Circle Series. The “God character” in these books is portrayed in vivid detail. Experiencing the imagery in these books made me realize just how real, personal, and beautiful my God is. Although these books are technically fiction, they greatly increased my love for God and made Him so much more real to me.
We can always share whatever we have read with our family, friends and colleagues. All this increases our ability to socialize. Humans are social beings and in the world of smartphones, we are losing our ability to socialize. However, reading had led to the formation of book clubs and other forums where we get a chance to share and interact with others.
By reading many books, you communicate better and become more informed about various areas of life. All this translates into a higher self-esteem. Since you have confidence in yourself and your ability to deliver, you become more productive and overall a much better person.
10. Reading books helps you to learn about your history, about another world and learn at your own pace:
History plays an important role in who we are today. By reading books, we get a better understanding of the past and how it continues to affect us. With books, you get a chance to learn about your country, family and the world in general. It’s a great way to revisit your past and appreciate the present.
To address the problems of our present day, it is important that we know our history. Books are valuable resources to find out about the events of the past and how they can shape our minds in solving the challenges of the present. We also get to learn about the history of other places and have an insight into how various people have developed over the years. Good knowledge of history becomes instrumental especially when you engage people in climes different from yours. You will be surprised by how much you will have to say about them by virtue of what you had read about their history.
The world of fiction allows you to travel to another world, where everything is different. By reading books, you get a glimpse of other cultures and places. Books expand your horizons, letting you see other countries, other people and so many other things you have never seen or imagined. It’s the perfect way to visit a strange country in your mind.
Another benefit of reading a book is that you learn at your own pace. Since you have the book all the time, you can always go back to a section you feel you don’t understand. You can re-read a chapter as many times as you wish, without worry that you will miss out a section. If it’s a self-help book, you can tackle one issue at a time. Once you handle one problem, then you can move to the next issue whenever you feel you’re ready. Everything is done at your own pace and most importantly, your mind is free to interpret things the way you feel.
Reading regularly has a lot of benefits that contribute to your overall wellbeing. However, not many of us enjoy reading. I’m not advocating that we all become bookworms but, we all must find time to read regularly. As I have already stated in this article, reading books is not an exercise in futility rather an exercise with many utilities.