10 Unique Benefits of Reading Books
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.“ -George R.R. Martin These days, a bookshelf has merely been reduced to an aesthetic in our homes and our Instagram feeds. People fail to understand that there are several benefits of reading books. Studies have shown that the habit of reading can- Despite this, a small […] The post 10 Unique Benefits of Reading Books appeared first on Chegg India.
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“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.“
-George R.R. Martin
These days, a bookshelf has merely been reduced to an aesthetic in our homes and our Instagram feeds. People fail to understand that there are several benefits of reading books.
Studies have shown that the habit of reading can-
- improve cognitive function,
- reduce stress,
- enhance empathy,
- improve understanding.
Despite this, a small percentage of people read books regularly. In fact, according to a 2017 survey, only 0.5% of Indians, that is only 83.4 million people, read books for leisure
Although nearly half of the people in the survey state that the reason why they don’t read it is because of the distraction caused by the Internet and smartphones.
It’s never too late to develop a reading habit. In this article, we’ll discuss the unique and unexplored benefits of reading books every day.
Top Benefits of Reading Books
There are endless benefits to reading books. From discovering new ideas to learning about new people – a book is a gift that never stops giving. Here are the 10 unique benefits of reading books every day:
Improves Your Mindset
Reading books allows you to discover new and exciting worlds right from your couch. As Stephen King says, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” The process of reading expands your mind, elevates your mindset, and plants new seeds of imagination. We can never tell what a person is thinking. But books allow us to learn all about a person’s inner thoughts.
Improves Emotional Intelligence
Books introduce us to the inner complexities of humans from all walks of life. It encourages us to see their humanity and cheer them on as they go through life’s challenges and hardships. Reading books increases our self-awareness and acquaints us with our inner thoughts.
Helps Build Vocabulary
An undeniable benefit of reading books is vocabulary improvement. It helps us in expanding our knowledge about our native and foreign languages. With a regular reading habit, you learn to express your thoughts and emotions in a more precise and nuanced manner.
Makes You a Better Writer
The best way to become a better writer is to become an excellent reader. Reading is so important because it allows you to study the art of storytelling, sentence structure, and so much more. And writing is how you discover your inner thoughts and get in sync with your subconscious. With a daily reading habit, you get better at writing, even if it’s for personal use.
Improves Your Memory
Reading improves your memory by building neural connections in the brain. When you sit down to read, you engage the core parts of your brain that are in charge of learning, listening, visualizing, and memorizing things. The more you read, the better your memory gets. Reading also strengthens the brain by improving its ability to concentrate.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills
One of the biggest reasons why we should read books is because reading exposes you to new information, ideas, and perspectives. When you read, you evaluate arguments, analyze evidence, and ask questions. As you begin to bridge information, you seek answers and fulfill your curiosity. All of these aid you in developing critical thinking skills, which can grant you further career advancement.
Gain More Knowledge
Reading books is important because this habit allows us to learn about a variety of topics, cultures, historical events, scientific concepts, and so much more. The knowledge acquisition of new information stays with us for a long time. Reading books on science, technology, and history develop our critical thinking and builds our expertise on everyday topics.
The kind of knowledge you gain vastly depends on the genre of books you’re reading. If you’re into personal growth and self-help books, then you’ll be learning about the tools and habits required to improve your life. And if you’re into non-fiction categories, then you’ll be expanding your knowledge on the subject matters at hand.
Develop Communication and Conversational Skills
One of the underrated benefits of reading books is the development of your communication and conversational skills. Reading books helps you in improving your language and vocabulary skills. You learn first and second-person narratives, develop a knack for storytelling and gain cultural understanding about people from all over the world.
Also Read: How to Be an Effective Communicator in 5 Easy Steps
Books are a Stress-buster
Books are a form of escapism from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. It is one of the relaxation techniques that improve your mood and give you better sleep at night. Reading provides a very special and underrated form of cognitive stimulation that has proven to be a stress relief and mood-boosting habit.
Enhances Empathy & Social Awareness
Reading introduces you to characters that you may never be able to meet or talk to in real life. It allows you to get into the minds of leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and even serial killers.
As American author C.S. Lewis famously said, “We read to know we are not alone.” Books remind us that our struggles and hardships aren’t unprecedented, but a part of the human experience.
How to Start Reading Books in 5 Steps
Developing any habit isn’t easy, but the reading benefits make it worth it. Here are 5 easy and actionable steps that you must take to start reading books regularly.
Step 1 – Pick a Genre
There are numerous genres of books, namely fiction, non-fiction, romance, thriller/horror, mystery, fantasy, memoir, biography, history, etc. Discover a genre that intrigues you and make a list of 5 bestsellers in that field.
Step 2 – Commit to 10 Pages per day
Start small and commit to reading at least 10 pages every day. In due time, you can increase the goal to 50 or 100 pages per day.
Step 3 – Create a Reading Nook
Dedicating a corner of your house solely to reading can help in building a strong foundation for your daily habit.
Step 4 – Block Out the Distractions
Wear noise-canceling headphones, put your phone on “do not disturb,” and alert your family members/housemates to not call upon you during your reading time.
Step 5 – Set a Goal
Make a modest goal and track your progress every day.
The benefits of reading books go far beyond a fancy Instagram aesthetic. An avid reader reaps numerous mental and health benefits such as enhanced mental capacities, boosted creativity, and increased empathy.
Where to Start Reading?
Reading benefits have an overwhelmingly positive impact on almost every area of your life. By making it a habit, you will see a long-term improvement in your well-being, vocabulary, and emotional intelligence.
If you’re having a hard time picking your first book, this list can help you out. Here are some of the best sellers and epic page-turners to get you started:
- Fiction: The Harry Potter series, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
- Non-fiction: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, and “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl.
- Personal growth: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown, “Think Like a Monk” by Jay Shetty, and “Do Epic Sh*t” by Ankur Warikoo.
- Biography: “Unfinished” by Priyanka Chopra, “Becoming” by Michelle Obama, and “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are numerous mental, spiritual, and physical benefits of reading books. Studies have shown that avid readers have improved cognitive abilities, better communication skills, a vivid sense of imagination, and a greater sense of awareness.
Here are some of the things that happen when you read books every day:
1. Improved cognitive abilities: Habitual readers see a lasting improvement in their comprehension and analytical skills.
2. Enhanced creativity: Reading helps develop a vivid imagination and creativity.
3. Broadened perspective: Reading increases contextual and objective knowledge.
4. Improved memory: Daily reading requires focus and concentration, which has a positive impact on your memory.
5. Greater self-awareness: Daily reading helps people understand their personal biases and subconscious thoughts.
Beginners can develop a reading habit by picking up a book in the genre that appeals to them and committing to reading 10 to 50 pages every day. A special trick is to place a bookmark at the end of a chapter and set a personal challenge to at least reaching to it in a single session.
Some of the best books to read are the Harry Potter series, the Twilight series, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, and “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
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