Brainy Dose Presents: Why You Should Read Books - 15 Benefits Of
Reading More People have been writing books for centuries
– someone’s writing a book right now, and books will be written for a long time
to come. The question is, when was the last time you
read a book? While there’s no doubt that reading is a
priceless activity, the habit of reading books has been on a decline. Most people claim they don’t have the time
to read, yet the average person watches TV for more than two hours a day. Reading is a workout for your mind - and it’s
just as important as physical exercise. So here are 15 reasons why you should read
more! Number 1 - Acquire Knowledge This is the most obvious and important benefit
of reading. Humans are the only species on Earth that
can transmit information and knowledge over a distance and over several generations. Written language separates us from all other
species. It enables us to transfer knowledge rapidly,
and allows us to develop faster. Everything you read fills your mind with new
bits of information, and the more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are - and
the more able you become to tackle challenges. Even if you were to lose everything you physically
possess, no one can ever take away your knowledge. Number 2 - Improve Memory Reading books offers the opportunity to stop
and take a moment to rethink or reflect on the content. When you read a book, you have to remember
an assortment of characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, histories, and nuances, as well
as the various arcs and subplots that weave their way through the story. What’s more, with every new memory you create,
you create new pathways in your brain, and this strengthens the existing ones. Furthermore, staying mentally stimulated by
reading regularly, can slow the progress or possibly even prevent Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Number 3 - Strengthen Critical And Analytical
Skills Have you ever read an amazing mystery novel,
and solved the mystery yourself - before finishing the book? If so, you were able to put your critical
thinking skills to work, by taking note of all the details provided, and sorting them
out. That same ability to analyze details comes
in handy - even in real life! In fact, critical thinking skills are essential. Being able to solve problems, given just certain
elements, are a part of daily life – from finishing a project for work to figuring out
how to navigate difficult relationships. Number 4 - Advance Your Career The more you read, the more words you are
exposed to. These words will inevitably make their way
into your everyday vocabulary - and being articulate and well-spoken earns you bonus
point in many professions. The ability to confidently communicate with
your employers and peers, can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem, and it will also
help you advance the career ladder. Studies have shown that those who are well-read,
well-spoken and knowledgeable on a variety of topics, tend to get promotions more quickly
and more often - compared to those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of literature,
scientific breakthroughs and global events. Number 5 - Improve Writing Skills In addition to expanding your vocabulary,
exposure to published, well-written work has a positive effect on your own writing as well. Many successful authors gained their expertise
by reading the works of others. Observing the various styles of other authors,
journalists, poets and writers will eventually be reflected in your own writing style. So, if you want to become a better writer,
start by learning from previous masters! Number 6 - Reduce Stress And Anxiety Chronic escapism is by no means a healthy
habit, but neither is dwelling on stressful life circumstances all the time. In short doses, allowing your mind to focus
on things other than your challenges, can be highly beneficial, and even necessary. Reading offers a safe, healthy, and productive
replacement for negative thinking. It gives your mind a safe place to rest, until
you regain the strength you need to overcome obstacles and challenges. Number 7 - Improve Focus And Concentration In our busy lifestyles, our attention is constantly
drawn in different directions throughout the day. Studies have shown that in a single 5-minute
span, the average person will divide their time between working on a task, checking email,
keeping an eye on social media, monitoring their smartphone, and chatting with a couple
of people (either online or in person). Of course, this type of distracted behavior
lowers productivity. When you read a book, all of your attention
is focused on what you’re reading - causing the rest of the world to fade away as you
immerse yourself in the details. Reading at least 20 minutes a day will improve
your concentration, and you’ll be amazed at how much more focused you’ll be. Number 8 - Boost Inspiration And Motivation Reading inspirational books can contribute
to your growth and development. With the endless amount of perspectives and
lives you can read about, books can give you an opportunity to have experiences that you
haven’t had the chance to, and still allow you to learn the life skills they entail. Essentially, reading is the seed to inspiration. The words plant the ideas in your brain, and
those ideas flourish from there. Number 9 - Learn At Your Own Pace Another benefit of reading a book is that
you learn at your own pace. Since you have the book all the time, you
can always go back to a section you feel you don’t understand. You can read a chapter as many times as you
wish, without worrying that you’ll miss out a section. If it’s a self-help book, you can tackle
one issue at a time. Once you handle one problem, then you can
move to the next issue whenever you feel you’re ready. Everything is done at your own pace, and most
importantly, your mind is free to interpret things the way you feel. Number 10 - Stimulate Imagination You are limited only by what you can imagine. The worlds described in books, as well as
other people’s views and opinions, will help you expand your understanding of what
is possible. By reading a written description of an event
or a place, your mind is responsible for creating that image in your head - instead of having
the image placed in front of you when you watch TV. You connect all these creations and make changes
while you keep reading - all the while expanding your worldview. When you explore a new literary world, this
opens doors for new ideas, subjects and situations that can get you thinking on trying new experiences. Number 11 - Improve Conversation Skills Because reading increases your vocabulary
and your knowledge of how to correctly use new words, it helps you better articulate
what you want to say. The knowledge you gain from reading also gives
you more to talk about with others. You’ll be able to hold your own, and add
to the conversation - instead of having to make excuses and leave. You will be able to engage a wider variety
of people, and in turn improve your knowledge and conversation skills. Ultimately, this will make you a much more
interesting and refreshing person to be around. Number 12 - Become More Empathetic According to studies, losing yourself in books,
especially fiction, may increase your empathy. As you let go of the emotional and mental
chatter found in the real world, you enjoy deep reading that allows you to feel what
the characters in a story feel. And this in turn makes you more empathetic
to people in real life. You become more aware and alert to the lives
of others. Number 13 - Sleep Better Poor sleep leads to low productivity. This is why so many experts recommend that
you establish a regular de-stressing routine before you go to sleep. This will help calm your mind, and therefore
help you sleep better. Reading a book is one of the best ways to
calm yourself before going to bed. Even if it’s just for ten minutes, reading
can help you push whatever was keeping you awake out of your mind. So while in bed, instead of watching television
or spending time on your smartphone, grab a book and read. Number 14 - Source Of Companionship During your life, you will experience numerous
transitions. Changing schools, jobs or cities may require
you to replace old relationships with new ones - and sometimes, these adjustments are
harder or take longer than expected. Reading can help reduce feelings of alienation
and loneliness. Whether it’s through the comfort of a favorite
book, or through an emotional connection to relatable characters - books provide a stable
source of companionship - especially during times when you feel the only person you can
count on is yourself. Number 15 - Increase Your Lifespan Researchers have found that adults who read
at least three and a half hours a week, can expect to have a longer lifespan than those
who do not read books. This is because reading can increase connectivity
between brain cells, which can lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases that can shorten
a lifespan. Developing a daily reading habit can be super
beneficial for you - in fact, reading makes you more intelligent! Research shows that reading not only helps
with fluid intelligence, but with reading comprehension and emotional intelligence as
well - and as a result, you make smarter decisions about yourself and those around you. Whether you choose to nourish your inner escapist,
or feed your brain with new knowledge, remember to crack open a book and replenish your soul
regularly. What do you think? Are you an avid reader, or do you avoid books
like the plague? Now that you know all the amazing benefits
reading has to offer, will you make a conscious effort to read more? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this video, give it a thumbs
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