Benefits Of Reading
In a world where we are inundated by entertainment everywhere we look, whether it’s our smartphones, TV, or the internet, cozying up with one of the best books for men feels like something of a lost art. We get it, though, we all live such busy, fast-paced lives that settling down in front of the fire (or space heater, we can’t all own mansions overlooking lakes, after all) and really getting into a good book is often the last thing we think about when getting home. It’s much easier to kick back, relax, and switch your brain off while you watch endless hours of trash TV. However, any bookworm will tell you how amazing reading is as long as you can find the time for it. So, if you’ve been wanting to kick-start your reading habit, here are 10 benefits of reading every day that might convince you to get started sooner rather than later.
1. It’s Mentally Stimulating
It doesn’t matter what you read, whether it’s Twilight or Infinite Jest, as long as you are actually reading, you’re giving your brain a workout, and that’s a good thing. Mental stimulation has been proven to prevent the onset of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
The brain is just like any other muscle in the body, so if you don’t give it the nourishment it needs, it will stagnate. If you want to keep sharp, then reading is an easy, comfortable way to do just that.
2. It Boosts Knowledge
It’s no surprise that intelligent people are associated with reading even in the most cliche and stereotypical representations. Whatever you read, you’re learning something new, and this applies to both fiction and non-fiction books.
While reading non-fiction writers is a great source for learning about history and people, fiction writers and their books impart knowledge in other ways. They help you learn about concepts and ideas while also entertaining you at the same time. Even if you don’t feel you’re learning and getting smarter, you absolutely are.
3. Expands Vocabulary
Having a large vocabulary is an excellent way to impress everyone you come into contact with without carrying a thesaurus everywhere you go. Reading exposes you to words you never even knew you needed to know, and while some people may give you funny looks when you pull out absolute zingers like rapscallion, pusillanimous, or obfuscate, others will hang on your every word, eager to find out what bloviating tomes you will come up with next.
Just make sure you use these words correctly, otherwise, you’ll look a fool.
4. It Makes You A Better Writer
Even if you’re not a writer writer, reading will still help you pepper your correspondence with friends, family, and co-workers with intelligence that will make them think much more of you than they do already.
Being able to write and down and communicate your thoughts with fluidity and cadence inspired through whatever you read is as useful for writing emails to leaving reviews or just leaving silly messages hidden around the house for your partner to find.
5. Better Concentration
Many people claim they don’t read often because they struggle to concentrate, and in today’s culture of immediate gratification, reading a book and having to work for the payoff isn’t all that appealing.
This concentration doesn’t magically appear overnight, and you do have to work for it. Training yourself to focus on what you’re reading while also absorbing the information will, over time, increase your concentration, even if you start small and increase your reading time as you go along.
6. Increases Analytical Skills And Problem Solving
Problem solving and analytical thinking isn’t just something you’re taught to develop at school and never use again, and these skills can be highly useful in the real world. Reading mystery and crime novels is an excellent way to put these skills to the test, or try to improve on them if you know they are not your strong suit.
Some people may consider it not-so-fun to figure out the twist before it appears, but for others, that’s all part of the fun, and for many, it’s the reason they read such books.
7. It Can Be Inspirational
Consider how many guys have read Into the Wild, On The Road, or The Motorcycle Diaries and have been inspired to set out on an adventure of their own (hopefully, with less catastrophic results, though) and changed their lives. For most, reading is an escape, but the more you read, the more it’s likely that you’ll pine for something else, whether that’s a small as taking a quick vacation somewhere you’ve read about, or packing up all your things and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.
8. It Helps You See Things From Other Perspectives
Anyone hoping to be a well-rounded individual should take the time to read as much as they possibly can, even if they don’t necessarily agree with it. Reading from a variety of texts, sources, and opinions can help you better understand why people feel a certain way, which may make it easier to empathize with certain ideas and stances.
9. It’s Relaxing
Getting into the zone of reading is a fantastic way to help you relax, and depending on the subject, it can put you in a state of total tranquility. This makes reading a superb way to relieve stress and wind down after work or before bed, and also keeps you staring blankly into a screen for hours on end, endlessly scrolling but not seeing much.
10. It’s Entertaining
Above all else, though, reading every day is a great, easy way to entertain yourself. We know that TV, movies, painting, and video games are all ways to keep yourself busy, but books are so readily accessible wherever you go that it seems a shame to miss out on the experience.
Turn the Page
We’re not here to try to get you to read all day for the rest of your life, and we’re also not saying you should dump all other forms of entertainment and relaxation. However, we are asking you to just try dedicating some time each day to reading a little. You never know, you might discover (or rediscover) a passion you’ve left by the wayside for far too long.
Sources:
- 10 Benefits of Reading – Technobezz
- 10 Benefits Of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day – Lifehack
- 10 Benefits of Expanding Your Vocabulary – Vocabulary
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