Reading books is one of the best hobbies of all ages that has many benefits. In this article, we want to explain more about reading the book and its benefits. We also want to introduce you to tips that will help you read more books.
There is a difference between reading for understanding and reading for information. Most people aren’t really learning anything new. It’s not going to give you an edge, make you better at your job, or allow you to avoid problems.
Learning something insightful requires mental work. It’s uncomfortable. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not learning. You need to find writers who are more knowledgeable on a particular subject than yourself. By narrowing the gap between the author and yourself, you get smarter.
Reading a book is one of the useful new year’s resolutions that are most of the time on the To-Do list every year. But do you know the benefits of reading?
Here are 10 benefits of reading that illustrate the importance of reading books. When you read every day you:
1. Gain Valuable Knowledge
One of the most obvious benefits of reading every day is learning. And unlike a YouTube video or podcast, books provide access to in-depth knowledge. In other words, if you want to become more productive, which do you think you’ll learn more from:
- A book by someone who’s studied productivity for 20 years,
- Or a 10-minute YouTube video by someone interested in the topic?
2. Exercise Your Brain
Research has confirmed that reading stimulates a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. Plus, as you improve your reading ability, these networks become stronger and more sophisticated.
So, if we don’t exercise our minds regularly, our cognitive abilities may decline. However, when we read every day, we can keep them strong and healthy.
3. Improve Your Focus
Being able to concentrate and focus for long periods is essential to our success and well being. Cal Newport, the author of Deep Work, writes:
“To remain valuable in our economy … you must master the art of quickly learning complicated things. This task requires deep work.” Also, he explains:
“Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship.”
4. Improve Your Memory
Reading every day can improve your memory – it can help you learn how to store new information and recall memories more effectively.
For example, when you read a non-fiction book, you also consume an enormous amount of information on the subject you’re reading about.
All of this new information creates new memories. And every new memory creates synapses or strengthens old ones.
5. Enjoy Entertainment
Books provide some of the most engaging entertainment on the planet. To replicate that feeling, or to experience it for the first time, all you need to do is find the right books to read. There are millions of incredible books out there, and there’s a perfect reading genre for everyone – from fantasy novels and classical literature to self-help guides and business books.
6. Improve Your Ability to Empathize
Another one of the benefits of reading books is that they can improve our ability to empathize with others. And empathy has many benefits – it can reduce stress, improve our relationships, and inform our moral compasses.
7. Improve Your Communication Skills
The ability to communicate effectively is a vital life skill and one of the key benefits of reading is that it helps us to communicate better.
Reading every day can improve our communication skills in a few ways. For example, reading can influence your writing and increase your vocabulary.
When we read well-written work, we naturally observe its writing style, cadence, and composition. These characteristics inevitably seep into our writing, in the same way, that musicians are influenced by each other.
8. Reduce Stress
Another one of the effects of reading is that it can reduce stress.
Research has proven that just 30 minutes of reading can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress.
So, now that you figure out the benefits of reading, it is the time you should make it a habit for yourself. If you have trouble reading a book or can not read it every day to enjoy its benefits, do not worry, here are some ways you can try:
1. Make Reading Part of Your Routine
The best way to consistently read more is to intentionally dedicate more time to reading. The best way to make sure you keep your reading resolution through the whole year is to integrate reading time into your routine.
2. Learn to Double Task
There are only so many hours in the day. But if you learn to double task, you double your hours. Read a book while you’re doing something else that doesn’t require your full attention. Just save the complex books for when you can give them your undivided attention.
3. Set a Goal
It’s much easier to read more books when you set a reading goal. With a goal in mind, you can stay motivated and make sure you’re staying on track to reach it. But make sure the goal you set is attainable; it will only discourage you if you set a goal you aren’t able to reasonably reach.
4. Read With Your Ears
Listening to audiobooks is not cheating. We all learn and retain information in different ways, and audiobooks are one of many ways to enjoy a good book. Audiobooks are amazing when it comes to multitasking. You can listen to an audiobook while driving, exercising, walking, and so much more. Plus it’s a great way to avoid eye fatigue when you’ve been reading a lot of print or e-books.
5. Use a Reading Tracker
A reading tracker is a perfect way to keep track of your book goal, and it can be useful for analyzing your reading style. You may even see patterns in your reading habits that will help you read more books throughout the year.
6. Take Breaks to Avoid Burnout
It’s important to know your limits and avoid burnout. Don’t push yourself to read so much that you end up with a headache, eye strain, or mentally exhausted. This is especially important while reading something that takes a lot of concentration and focus.
7. Embrace the DNF
Forcing yourself to finish a book you hate is no way to reach your reading goals. Sticking with books you’re not enjoying will take all of the fun out of your reading time and will slow down your progress. The key is to call it quits early and without shame.
8. Get Good Recommendations
Making time to read more books is a lot easier when you love the books you’re reading. But researching new books can eat up a lot of your reading time. Ask friends for book recommendations, or talk to a local librarian or bookseller.