Why reading is important?
Yale School of Public Health found that people who read books for just 30 minutes a day live an average of two years longer than those who didn’t read. The study was published in the September 2016 Social Science and Medicine issue. The reading will not make us immortal, but the gained knowledge and brain development has been scientifically proven to help battle aging.
What are the benefits of reading?
We learn to read from a young age because it is essential for brain development. But once literacy is achieved, we should not stop. Regardless of age, economic status, or interest, this is one of those unique activities anyone can participate in mainly because of its many health benefits.
And there are so many reasons people should work on their reading skills. Dedicating time to reading and creating a reading habit is essential to the mind, and it has helped tremendously with my thinking skills.
Read to prevent cognitive decline
The brain is just another muscle in our body that needs to be regularly trained to remain healthy and strong. Frequent brain training decreases mental decline for the elderly by 32%. Although research hasn’t conclusively proven that books prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s, studies show that older people who read daily maintain and improve their cognitive functioning.
Furthermore, it improves memory and analytical skills. Readers must remember complex characters, setting, and plot structures to understand a book, enhancing focus and concentration. In the world of constant multitasking, reading encourages people to focus on a single activity.
Read to reduce stress
Stress has become the new regular daily; unfortunately, too much of it can shorten the lifespan. Research has shown that reading can reduce stress by 68%. It can also promote mental health. Spiritual texts can lower blood pressure, while self-help books can help with mood disorders. Learn to relax with a book; much needed in today’s stressful environment.
Read to create empathy
Reading affects emotional intelligence. Books teach people to understand different characters and become empathetic. Also, the more your read, the more attractive you can sound in conversations since you’ll be able to voice your opinion and share what you have learned.
Read to become smarter
Different genres or topics outside your field of interest, can help you gain significant knowledge about subjects you never directly studied. Children can better understand our world by bringing up the ideas and beliefs that shape it.
Read to expand vocabulary
Books naturally expand your vocabulary. Vocabulary is resistant to aging, and research has found that people with low vocabulary scores were three to four times more at risk of cognitive decay than those with the highest scores. Start reading and learn new words!
Improve writing skills
The ability to write is essential and crucial in both education and employment. Reading and writing go together; the more you read, the more your writing skills will improve.
Romanticise reading for entertainment
Most importantly, reading is fun. Instead of endlessly scrolling your phone or watching television, get a new book.
Nowadays, our busy schedules leave very little time for reading. People are caught in a slump, bored with the book they’re reading, or feel entirely paralyzed by deciding what to read next. Reading is supposed to be fun and not a forced chore, so we should romanticize our reading. And to do that, we must figure out how we read best.
Seasonal reading
Knowing that you like to read horror books in October and Christmas books in December is a great start to planning your book stack seasonally. Pick books that fit the time of the year. And don’t worry, if you don’t get to read every romance book by New Year, you can shelve it for the next season.
Favourite way to study
Reading is in a way like studying; you are learning new things. Except there is no exam at the end to stress you out. So, apply your favorite studying ways to reading. If you liked the library, you could now visit to read for fun.
Picture yourself as a movie character
It’s great to think about what you want the actual reading scene to look like. Create your ideal setup to feel motivated to read. Are you wearing PJs in bed? Designate a corner of your home where you feel most relaxed. Pick a comfy chair, a scented candle, your favorite coffee, or maybe a glass of wine, and enjoy. Or do you prefer reading on a train on the way to work? Or maybe on a plane? Books are convenient for airport layovers.
Go on a date with your book
We highly recommend this; it is our favorite! Plan to go to a fancy coffee shop, dress up a little, and put your phone in airplane mode. Get a tasty pastry, feel super adorable, and have a blast reading a book. Romance yourself and read a great book.
Pick your next book in advance to build the excitement
Pick a book that you want to read next and set the date. Plan a perfect moment to enjoy it at home or in your favorite coffee shop. Read the preview to put you in the mood. Planning the reading experience is just like planning a date. We all fantasize about it in advance. This will build excitement. Building excitement is a great way to fall in love with reading again. Now when you read it, it will feel extra special.
Spend a full day with a book
First, go to your favorite bookstore in the morning. Even if you prefer reading on Kindle, as we do, browsing books in a bookstore is so much fun and will give you a completely different feel. Have your favorite coffee while you do it. It’s all about the experience. Think of buying new shoes that will take you places. Books can take you anywhere you want to go. Once you have the book of the day, go somewhere to read it. It can be a park, the train home, a local Starbucks, wherever. Dedicating a day to a book, even as little as once a year, is a great way to romanticize your reading life.
Reread your favorite book
Our last tip for romanticizing your reading is to reread. We fully believe that rereading a book you love so much is key to romanticizing your reading, and it’s the perfect way to remind yourself why you love reading. We also believe that rereading your favorite book every couple of years is a new experience.
Finding time to read is not always possible. But incorporating the suggested ideas is a great way to romanticize your reading.
Check out My Next Pin’s reading list and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for our monthly picks.
We love Kindle because of its flexibility: you can use a Kindle device (Kindle Oasis is our choice; check it out!) or download the app on any device and take your books wherever you go. Incredibly convenient when traveling!
Happy Reading!
Do you like reading? Let us know in the comments below. Share your favorite books!
One Response
Definitely reading more!