With smart phones, tablets, Xploras, work pressures, and family commitments, many people simply do not find time to read, but here are five reasons why you should become an avid reader.

• Reading improves our thinking
Reading is not only one of the most efficient ways to acquire information, but it also develops the analytical part of you brain, such as your judgment and problem-solving abilities.

Research has compared the general knowledge of readers and television watchers. The readers not only knew more, but they were also better at deciphering information.

Correctly sizing up a situation - often with incomplete information and limited time - is something we all need to do on a daily basis, and reading can give you the skills to do just that.

• Reading improves our people skills
Stories give us an opportunity to walk in other people’s shoes and see the world through their experiences and with their motivations.

And the physical act of reading is actually what makes these lessons stick. Brain scans show that as we relate to characters in stories we make neural connections that linger days after we put the book down on the nightstand.

• Reading improves our communication
When we read, we expand our vocabulary and learn more about the correct usage of language. This helps you to communicate better at work and at home, giving you a larger selection of words to choose from – especially when you need to persuade and motivate!

• Reading helps us relax
We all face an ongoing challenge to manage stress. The great news is that while we’re reading we are not only learning, but also lowering our stress levels.

One study compared reading to other stress relievers like walking, listening to music, or drinking a cup of tea. Reading was found the most effective, and it worked to lower heart rates and relieve tension in as few as six minutes.

• Reading keeps us young
Reading exercises our brains, which has been proven to help keep us young and even be able to prevent dementia in later years.

Article reworked from an article by Michael Hyatt.

Return to main article