5 Benefits of Reading and Why It’s Important
The world needs books and so does your brain.
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“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.”
— George R.R. Martin
I used to hate reading. I thought it was dumb and boring. I was about nine when I thought that, which explains why I was so wrong.
As a writer and self-published author, it only makes sense that I now love reading. It’s the most underrated form of entertainment around. Unfortunately, it also takes the most focus.
It’s much easier to play a game or put on Disney Plus than it is to sit down and focus on a bunch of words. I get that the world is too hyperactive for the stationary act of reading, but that doesn’t change how important it is.
Reading can be classified as entertainment, but it’s so much more. It’s relaxing, eye-opening, and can even be mind-blowing. There are so many benefits to get from it that you’d be doing your brain a disservice by not giving it a try.
And if you’ve read this far, you clearly enjoy reading. Now you’ve just got to do it with a book and you’re all set.
Let’s jump into a few reasons why reading is more important than anyone thinks. This means that we’re gonna explore how reading can give you the brain boost that you’ve always wanted.
1. It’ll Reduce Stress and Depression
Since it counts as entertainment, it seems obvious that reading would reduce stress. However, it’s stress-relieving properties go way beyond that.
When you read, you’re so focused on the story that it pulls your mind away from the outside world. All of your troubles and worries disappear and are replaced by the fictional world that you’re now inhabiting.
The same goes for nonfiction books. Getting lost in a good read is so relaxing that it can happen with any kind of book, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Reading combats stress because it:
- Is about 300% better at eliminating stress than taking a walk.
- Only requires six minutes per day to be stress-relieving.
