When you were younger were you told by your parents and teachers that reading was a good thing to do? I would guess so. Most kids are told this, but few do it on their own. I didn’t enjoy reading as a kid either. In fact, I would have rather done about anything then to grab a book and start reading it. Just today, during a cheerleading trip with my daughter Katelyn, I asked her if she brought any books to read. To my surprise (actually not really), she hadn’t.
So I thought with February winding down and the chills of winter still in the air, what a great time to focus on the surprising benefits of reading. Not only will you be able to answer the question of why reading is important, but I also hope you yourself will be more inspired to make reading a regular habit in your own life.
Here are four surprising ways that reading can do more than entertain us on a cold, dreary day.
Reading Preserves Your Brain Power.
Did you know that reading can boost brain activity and help keep our brains healthier as we age? According to a study published in the American Academy of Neurology, “More frequent cognitive activity across the lifespan has an association with slower late-life cognitive decline that is independent of common neuropathologic conditions, consistent with the cognitive reserve hypothesis.”
Basically what this means is that whether we read, solve a word puzzle, write, or engage our minds, we are helping preserve our minds for longer. Keeping a fit mind is an excellent goal to have at any age, and reading helps us accomplish that!
Become More Understanding.
Studies have shown time, and again that reading character-centered stories can help us improve our emotional intelligence, and help us become more compassionate, empathetic people. Do you ever struggle with understanding why someone does what they do? It’s easy to get frustrated and find ourselves even judging other people’s actions. But when we realize that we all have different beliefs, challenges, and things that motivate us, we can start to practice more compassion with others we may disagree with. Fictional stories that have more complex characters and even perplexing motivations can help us flex our “compassion” muscle and think outside the box. Ultimately all of this can help us relate to others in better ways. And that is a great goal!
Build Your Intelligence.
It’s true; reading can help broaden our understanding of the world around us — and the people in it. But it builds our word knowledge as well. Did you know we are exposed to a much broader variety of vocabulary when we read vs. when we watch a show? In a study done at the University of California, they found that even just a children’s book exposed us to 50% more words than primetime TV did! Reading to our kids is important — you probably already all knew that — but think of the impact of reading on the adult mind, too! That’s just one more reason to love a good read.
Read to De-Stress and Enjoy!
Finally, one of the best reasons to open up a book is that it can help us relax, lower our stress hormones, and help us unplug a little from the worries of our daily life. An enjoyable and immersive storyline helps, but even reading an interesting article, blog, or nonfiction on our favorite topic are all fantastic ways to de-stress and enjoy with a good book. So find a corner, a cozy spot, and open up that book you have delaying to read!
Thankfully I finally got to the point where I love to read. I really can’t get enough of it. If I had the time, I would read a book a week. I have learned so much more by reading as much as I do. What about you, where do you stand on this topic?
Now don’t be shy! I like to read and respond to all of my readers when possible. I am grateful to everyone who sends me messages, stops me in the store or connects on Facebook. Please feel free to share this blog with others, too!
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Your Virtual Life Coach,
Doug
Comment(1)
Chris says
February 24, 2019 at 11:34 pmIf older kids dont want to read much, try some audio books. Hearing it aloud helps kids learn the patterns of grammar, etc. Starting with a book that is a classic, or one that has great words (even if unknown to the listener or way above their reading level) will expand vocabulary and they will absorb the cadence and flow of the words, the structure needed for writing good papers later. I have read to my son almost daily since he was a baby, and it is one of the best things we have done for him. Schools often deaden the love of reading books by having students dissect it and tease out meanings that are often above their abstract thinking ability; many authors don’t consciously think about every nuance and theme of their writing either. Reading aloud (child or parent) helps the child focus and calms their mind because the reading is typically slower than reading to self. I homeschooled for a few years and would read aloud (fiction, adventure books) to my son while he was tinkering with legos (if quiet enough) or sitting in a “fort” on the couch. Many books used in schools are deadened with “updated” language that veers from the original complexity and beauty. The older versions can usually be checked out at the library, and it does make the experience more rich. Opt for unabridged versions of audio books and discontinue it immediately if the narrator’s voice grates on you. Try another one. Make a bowl of popcorn, apple crisp, hot cocoa, etc to celebrate the book reading time, just as you might for a movie.