How Reading Saved My Life
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.”
After finishing my military service, I was feeling lost not knowing how I could plan for my life. I was losing hope like anyone after this hard period of life. I could not sleep well during the night as I felt useless and powerless, and did not find someone to advise me about my career or how to start from nothing.
My younger brother found me one day desperate and he is a bookworm, I trust his opinion but I did not think that he was able to counsel me.
But I always listen as I am a good listener and he said if you do not know what is your dream, or what you need to do, I have something I can share with you if you are interested.
He said,” Reading,”.
i said I do not love reading.
He said you do not need to love, you need to force yourself first then, you will enjoy it.
i started to compel myself to read daily.
Here is what happened after only 30 days, and 2 hours of reading daily.
1_ reducing stress
2_self-discovery
3_ provide shortcuts for quick success
4_ Boost your happiness
5_Imporve your mental health
Here I will provide you in details with all the hidden benefits of reading and how to save your life.
1_reducing stress
It is a proven fact that reading reduces stress and anxiety. Reading assists you to pull yourself out of the crowd and escape from reality by immersing yourself in the book.
For instance, reading science fiction books helps broaden your imagination, reflecting on forgetting what stresses you out for a while.
-reading before sleep has proven its benefit for a deep and well-sleep.
That is because getting yourself engaged in quiet, stress-free, and solitary activity like reading can help lower heart rate and reduce muscle tension, promoting relaxation.
2_Self-discovery
The worst feeling ever is being lost, you do not know what you want to achieve or who you are.
Finding people around you who are successful and happy but you cannot even smile as you do not know what is your destination.
Grabbing your phone, scrolling down aimlessly, and watching none sense video, just as a trial to escape from your reality. But by picking up a book for anything or something you have an interest in maybe can open unexpected doors for you.
Being exposed to different people’s insights and ideas from various successful characters sometimes you can find something that fits you, and it did not come to your mind before.
For example, I did not have any idea before when I started reading what I want to work on and be interested. But by reading different books about financial education, I found approximately all kinds of investment.
After a deep and intensive reading, I was being able to start up my first and small investment in real estate.
Have you ever before while engaging in reading a book, an idea hit your mind surprisingly?
And more than that this idea was coming daily to your mind but you do not know to express or execute it or even more to get it written on a piece of paper.
Suddenly, you can find the book’s author mentions the same idea or experience and did the same thing or more similar.
At this point, you think that your idea is applicable and motivate you to do it.
Exactly that happens for many reasons, sometimes you feel like you are a loser, and what I am thinking about is only in my mind and as a kind of delusion.
Reading promotes your self-awareness.
3_ provide shortcuts for quick success
Everything now runs very fast.
I admit that there is no shortcut to success, but there are a lot of ways and methods to avoid repeating previous people’s mistakes.
When I decided to learn German, I had an idea that I need to buy every book talking about learning German thinking by doing that I would be fluent In a year.
Time passed and after 7 months of learning, I figured out that I am lost, and not making any improvement.
Then I went to YouTube and typed in learning German, I found tons of videos about learning German journey from one or two books at most to avoid getting distracted.
Following others ‘ people tracks and techniques, I was able to master German in a year.
4_ Boost your happiness
“People who read books regularly are on average more satisfied with life, happier, and more likely to feel the things they do in life are worthwhile.”
2013 survey by the Book Trust
No wonder the ancient Greeks described the library at Thebes as a “healing place for the soul.”
When you read books, you can find people from different eras had the same issues and obstacles you may face right now.
Knowing that makes you feel you are not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Finish reading a book can give you a sense of accomplishment and value.
Even when you talk to people about certain topics you have read about before, you feel confident and earn people’s trust and respect.
5_imporve your mental health
Your health is the most important asset you have, especially your mental health.
It has been proven that reading decreases the percentage of having Alzheimer’s
According to research, Over 15,000 persons more than the age of 65 were under the observation of researchers at Hong Kong’s Elderly Health Centers for five years. At the start of the study, none of the participants had dementia.
Those who reported engaging in intellectual activities regularly such as reading books, periodicals, and newspapers, as well as playing board games, had a significantly decreased risk of developing dementia.
Reading is similar to meditation and it brings the same benefits of satisfaction, inner peace, and then relaxation.
In conclusion, reading is your mentor in life, even if you have one but he is not knowledgeable enough to assist you in all aspects of life.
By making reading a daily habit, you will touch real freedom,
Improving your life and being happier.
