The Benefits of Making Time to Read

There is no doubt that the media landscape continues to change and fast “snackable” content from social media platforms remains king for most consumers. Quick information and other unrelated topics can be an addictive medium to engage in.

As a result of new developments in video entertainment and gaming, our brains cannot react to these mediums in the same way as reading long-format publications or books.

Scientific evidence shows the benefits of reading books and being exposed to the written word in general. If you are a parent, you should make an effort to instill a love for reading at a young age so that it can pay dividends for your child into adulthood.

Your brain is literally strengthened as a result of reading. Several circuits are being used to read and process information in such a way that it allows your neural network to become more sophisticated and mature.

For these reasons, reading is essential to keep your mind sharp, just like you would make time to work out at the gym. It has been shown that reading a novel can have an afterglow effect lasting for several days. Reading can also increase connectivity in various areas in the brain, including the somatosensory cortex, the area in brain that responds to different physical sensations.

The act of reading can also increase your ability to empathize with those around you. The reader will be able to develop additional neural networks when reading stories that explore the minds and lives of characters in this way, giving him an increased ability to interpret feelings and beliefs of other characters.

Researchers have referred to this function as the “theory of mind,” which are a set of skills that assist in establishing and maintaining social relationships. Those who read regularly tend to have a more advanced theory of mind due to their regular reading habits.

It is through reading that you will be able to build a more robust and effective vocabulary. There is no doubt that vocabulary can play a significant role in your business and social life both from the standpoint of understanding and usage.

One of the classic examples of vocabulary effects can be seen as a “rich get richer” system, which can only be countered with proactive measures to increase skills.

It is becoming increasingly important for employers to look at “soft skills” for their hiring processes, and communicating effectively is one of the most essential attributes. Getting exposure to new words through reading is a great way to learn them in context.

As you age, the National Institute on Aging recommends reading to keep your mind active. Several studies illustrate that those who read and solve math problems on a regular basis can maintain and, in some cases, even improve their cognitive function as a result of these activities.

It has been found in a 2013 study at Rush University Medical Center that individuals who participated in mental stimulation activities throughout their lives were less likely to develop lesions, plaques, and tau tangles, which are found in the brains of people with dementia if they participated in mentally stimulating activities throughout their lives.

It is generally advisable to get at least 30 minutes of reading per day if possible. Print is a better way to do it than on your phone or computer, but anything is better than nothing at all. There is no need to limit this to a particular topic — a blog about a niche topic, a fictional novel or a self-improvement book with exercises that will help you build your character in other ways. It has been shown in studies that those who read print books perform better on comprehension tests and retain more information after reading them compared to those who read them in digital form.

You can find it beneficial to read the success stories of others who are wildly successful. If you do not have a mentor of your own, reading is a natural alternative that can help program your mind in ways that can help improve your abilities.

In conclusion, some of the key benefits of making time in your schedule to read include:

• Connectivity in the brain is improved as a result

• Improve your vocabulary and comprehension of what you read

• The ability to empathize with others empowers you to improve your EQ

• Assists in preparing the body for sleep

• Assists in reducing stress

• Boosts the body’s natural ability to lower blood pressure

• Assists in fighting depression symptoms

• Prevents the decline of cognitive abilities as you age

• Provides the ability for increased lifespan