The popular expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” can be extended to reading too, and creating early reading habits amongst children, or incorporating one in your life, that is, if you are someone who has never taken a keen interest in books. Here are five benefits of reading for your mental and physical well-being.
Nothing compares to the joy of being transported to an unknown world, where you live and breathe with the characters of a book. You rejoice in their moments of happiness and mourn when their situation goes amiss. Regardless, whether you read for pleasure or as a form of escape from the drudgeries of everyday life, reading regularly has proven to be good for one’s physical and mental well-being. Here’s why…
Reading makes us more empathetic: This is more prevalent in the case of literary fiction because of the abundance of characters with complex personalities, strengths and flaws. Immersing yourself in the stories of such characters helps one to develop critical skills that help us navigate through complex social relationships by being cognizant of other people’s emotions, thereby helping us be more empathetic.
Reading is a huge stress buster: If you were ever of the opinion that reading is stress-inducing or attributed it to be a chore, think again. Studies have shown that reading for as little as six minutes on a daily basis can reduce stress by 68%.
Reading before bedtime induces sleep: There’s a reason why bedtime stories are a ritual for children in their nascent years. The reason is simple… Once you are settled in bed with a book, it automatically informs your body that you are winding down, helps you relax and eventually induces sleep. A point worth noting here is that always wind down with a physical book as opposed to a tablet or an e-reader as the light of the screen will most certainly hamper the process of you winding down.
Reading helps you build your vocabulary: There is no doubt that one of the several benefits of reading is that you constantly build a mental dictionary of new words. This is especially the case in children who are encouraged to read from an early age, helping them eventually in spheres that include standardized tests, college applications and job opportunities.
Reading keeps our minds focused and sharp: Studies have proven that reading contributes towards longer attention spans by increasing our concentration. Reading also reduces our chances of early mortality by preventing cognitive decline.
