Why should we read more books? How useful is reading for the brain? In today’s advanced world of technology, books come in a wealth of forms. Starting from classic hardcover to eBooks available on smart devices, there’s literally no reason why we should avoid reading. Apart from improving our general knowledge and making us smarter, books have an important role in people’s lifestyles. They shape our personalities, improve our vocabulary and feed our brains with lots of energy. Here are 6 science-based reasons why we should be reading more.
- Improved focus and concentration
Reading books can’t be compared with reading news articles and blog posts. A book demands a lot of concentration and focus. As for the reader, he needs time to assess what’s happening in that book, so he must be engaged to understand the narrative. Neuroscientists argue that the written language is puzzling. Finding meaning from a thread of symbols demands intricate neural circuitry. People have been writing and reading for nearly 5.000 years; reading in particular, is tied to circuits that initially evolved to serve a different purpose. As we age, the brain changes and loses flexibility; but it’s interesting that reading makes the brain change in a different way. Even though it ages, through reading it remains susceptible to learning until it dies.
2. Reading books reduces stress
Books are riveting. They solicit our imagination, compel us to escape reality and dive into a totally different world. This is liberating! Many people are stressed these days; they have financial and personal issues they can’t overcome, so they read to relax their brains and enjoy a few hours of quiet and peace. Unlike movies – where the layout is already set, books allow us to imagine scenarios and characters. We make our own choices when we read because we create our own universe. Books are stress-relievers that we need to help us cope better with our daily endeavors.
Reading a good book can reduce unhealthy levels of stress hormones, like cortisol. As opposite to playing video games or listening to music, studies have proven that reading a book is a much better way of relieving tension.
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3. Peace of Mind
Reading books brings peace of mind. It’s difficult to find tranquility in today’s busy society. Most people are workaholics, they don’t have time to sleep, travel or enjoy other pleasurable activities; so their only way to relax their brains is to read books. Reading is a soothing activity; it keeps the brain active without making it feel tired or stressed.
4. Enhanced analytical thinking
Studies have proven that reading books increases analytical thinking. Readers are more thorough in everything they do on a daily basis because their general knowledge is improved. What is analytical thinking more exactly? Basically, it is an endeavor tied to spotting differences and similarities between ideas and facts, searching for trends and patterns and identifying example out of abstract principles.
5. Diversified vocabulary
There’s no secret that reading books makes us smarter. But did you know that book reading is a lot more efficient at improving vocabulary than direct teaching and talking? That’s because when we read, we come across words we’ve never heard or seen before; we relate unknown words to a context, and we end up guessing their meaning. As we read more and more books, we involuntarily learn to use words we never used before. That’s the beauty of reading books. Books diversify our vocabulary without forcing our brains to remember certain words and phrases.
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6. Reading Books Rejuvenates the Brain
Enjoying a good book strengthens our minds and bodies, according to a recent study. Specialists claim that adults who like to do creative things or engage in intellectual activities (read books) have a 32% lower chance of developing diseases related to cognitive decline. Reading is an activity that demands the brain; it keeps it active and constantly working. This changes its structure, and implicitly the way it ages. Furthermore, older adults who like to read books are less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases in their senior years.
Reading is an activity that works miracles. It challenges the brain, improves its function and reduces stress. What more can we ask for? Science tells us that reading is the best way to keep our minds and bodies energized, so if you haven’t been feeling Zen lately, maybe it’s time start reading a few books.
Author Bio: Edward Francis is a tech writer basically and he loves reading books. His favorite hobby is to read eBooks and he prefers http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ to get a variety of books at the same place.
