Reading Can Reawaken Your Curiosity and Enthusiasm
Looking for a source of inspiration? Try checking out a book from your local library!
Have you been itching for a source of inspiration? Are you seeking creativity but need more motivation? It may be time to pick up a book! Reading is just as beneficial for adults as it is for children, especially when reactivating parts of the brain in charge of imagination. Here are some reasons why reading can reinvigorate curiosity and enthusiasm.
Reading Engages Your Brain
Brains are an organ, meaning they’re stimulated by activity. Simple as it may seem, reading engages specific areas of the brain that are in charge of memory, empathy, and concentration. You’re literally “exercising” those portions of the brain by picking up a book. How is it possible for a simple, everyday activity to result in such benefits?
Firstly, think about what happens when reading words on a page. It’s not enough to see the letters; your brain has to comprehend those images and come up with a conclusion. There may even be new terms that force you to widen your vocabulary. You’re also learning about new characters, ideas, and settings. This, paired with language, increases your memory and vocabulary skills.
Contrary to popular belief, reading is anything but a passive activity. So many things are happening in your brain simultaneously, resulting in multiple advantages that could reawaken curiosity and motivation.
Books Explore Your Imagination
Reading forces you to interpret language and develop images from those concepts, particularly with fiction titles. Compared to movies or other visual entertainment, you can’t see the characters or settings within their world. You may read a description that hints at details like hair color or physical appearance. Still, you’ll rarely see visualizations of the author’s original vision.
It’s up to you to bring the book to life, which can be exciting. As adults, imagination can appear to be a figment of the past. However, it can be shocking how much is reawakened when engaging with literature. Vivid descriptions force your brain to visualize a new world of diverse, interesting characters. In other words, nothing rekindles your creativity more than reading.
Better yet, books act as affordable forms of entertainment. As opposed to visual mediums like streaming services, checking out literature from your local library makes reading completely free! If you’ve been lacking motivation, it could be that your brain needs stimulation. Explore your local library to bring your imagination to life!
Literature Enhances Motivation
Reading can be excellent for motivation. Much of this may concern the sense of accomplishment one can feel after finishing a novel. This may be especially true if it was a long read or a bit out of one’s comfort zone. For example, a person may feel motivated after finishing a nonfiction biography as opposed to a fictional fantasy story.
This isn’t even mentioning the rewarding aspects of reading. It can be challenging to encourage your brain to think about many things simultaneously, especially if you’ve never considered yourself a bibliophile or have been in a reading slump. However, overcoming a challenge motivates your brain to accomplish other tasks.
All of this together boosts self-esteem and focus. While reading, your brain constantly takes in new information, piecing together plot points and visualizing characters. Your brain is more likely to focus and thus maintain a sense of accomplishment. If you’ve noticed a lack of motivation, reading may help you get back on track!
Stress Reduction and Cognitive Improvement
Books provide a sense of escape that can distract people from everyday anxiety. Transporting yourself to another world between the pages of a novel can give relief during stressful times. A study by the University of Sussex found a 68 percent reduction in stress after participants read for six minutes.
There’s also continual research on reading’s effect on aging. Due to how it exercises the brain, researchers are beginning to understand how reading prevents cognitive decline. A 2013 Rush University Medical Center study discovered that people who conducted more mentally stimulating activities were less likely to develop brain lesions, plaque, and tau protein tangles.
This isn’t even mentioning other mental health benefits that come from reading. Literature may contribute to reduced depression symptoms due to its ability to simulate the presence of other people. By making books a daily habit, you’re contributing to a better brain.
Bibliophiles Discover Personal Passions
If you’ve lost your sense of wonder, a book may be the solution to expanding your interests. Many pieces of literature are based around specific topics, hobbies, and genres. Consider whether you’re more interested in fiction or nonfiction and go from there. Have you always wanted to get into gardening? There’s a book out there to help you get started.
If you’re passionate about social topics, several books cover important subjects that are educational while being entertaining. Several studies show that reading fiction makes people more empathetic. This is likely due to something researchers call the “theory of mind,” or skill sets necessary for building and maintaining social relationships.
Books teach you new things, enabling you to discover new passions. Whether it’s learning a new skill, becoming a better writer, or understanding a community outside of your own, reading may initiate you to reawaken your curiosity for new experiences.
If you’re looking for an accessible and affordable way to find books, visit your local public library! If you want to support librarians and US public libraries, please visit EveryLibrary.org to get involved.
Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries.
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