7 Important Reasons to Read

Reading has been an integral part of my life since I was a kid. Nobody ever had to convince me that there were reasons to read other than the fact that I just enjoyed it. Threatening to take away my current read was a surprisingly effective method of discipline for my parents. It wasn’t unusual even when I was a child for me to be reading more than one book at a time as well. It just made sense to me to embrace the convenience of having a book ready in each of the places I would typically read, so I would leave one on my bed, one in the family room, one in the living room, etc.

Suffice it to say, I have long been reaping the benefits of reading. What are those benefits? Well, I’m glad you asked because there are a lot! Ranging from mental to physical to social, following are 7 reasons why you should pick up a book. My goal is that by the end of this post you will be just as convinced of the importance of taking time to read as I am.

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7 Important Reasons to Read a Book

To Learn

One of the first places many people go when they want to learn something new is to a book. Whether you want to learn how to build habits, how to negotiate, or why everybody lies, there is a book for that. Facts, skills, encouragement, and creativity can all be found in the pages of book. Reading also increases vocabulary and helps you develop communication skills, regardless of whether you choose fiction or nonfiction. I suspect this is probably one of the most common reasons to read.

To Travel

Books allow you to ‘see’ places you’ve never been to. Reading a story set in a place you want to visit is a very cost effective way to expose yourself to the culture and customs, food, history, and important locations of that destination. This is good substitute if traveling isn’t something you can manage in your current stage of life, and it’s also great as a way to prepare yourself if traveling is something you do regularly.

To Build Empathy

Studies have shown that seeing through the eyes of someone else, even if it’s a fictional character, helps build empathy by expanding your understanding of others and how they think and feel. It helps you understand motivations you might not have personally experienced, which is a mental exercise that is immensely useful in real-life interactions.

To Relax

According to a study done in the United Kingdom in 2009, reading for even just 6 minutes can reduce stress by up to 68%. That’s a crazy good return on your time investment! Reading before bed is also a good way to transition into sleep mode, especially if you pick up a physical book and avoid screens.

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To Escape

Need a mental break? A great book can take you out of your current situation and lets you experience something different for a little while. Obviously this isn’t a good strategy if you are using reading to avoid something hard or important, but if you just need a temporary distraction, it can be a relief to fall into an atmospheric novel. It’s much the same as watching a movie, only with all the other added benefits found in this list.

To Promote Brain Health

While it’s not technically a muscle, your brain does benefit from regular exercise. Reading is a great ‘exercise’ that helps with both memory and concentration. In a world that increasingly values short-form information and social media snippets, committing to finishing an entire book is a great way to improve concentration skills. And according to a study detailed by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research, reading and other mentally challenging activities can help keep Alzheimer’s at bay. The article states:

“This finding potentially addresses a question that all of us ask from time to time — can we do anything to slow down late-life cognitive decline,” write the authors of an editorial accompany the study. “The results suggest yes,” they go on to say. “Read more books, write more, and do activities that keep your brain busy irrespective of your age.”

To Be Social

On the surface, reading seems like a solitary activity, but the truth is that it can bring people together. Book clubs and discussion groups have been a source of community for readers for many years, and with the advent of online book clubs more people than ever have access to these communities. There are multitudinous sites and social media accounts (hi there, bookstagram!) that make it possible for people to come together and talk about books and reading. Plus, being well-read is a benefit in other social situations. I’ve found that there is always at least one other person in a given crowd who also likes to read, which gives you an instant connection and plenty to talk about.

Why do you like to read?