With so much stimulation in the world, it can be difficult to find time to enjoy activities that don’t involve technology. When was the last time you sat down to read a book? Hopefully reading is something you regularly enjoy, because there are several benefits to the enjoyable pastime.
Reduce stress
Amid the chaos of the last few years, a little bit of relaxation goes a long way. There are plenty of ways to reduce stress, such as exercise, listening to music, or playing video games. But reading trumps each of those activities when it comes to relaxation, simply because it engages your imagination.
Improve brain function
Reading has been proven to increase memory and critical thinking skills. On top of that, people who read regularly are two and a half times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime.
Increase knowledge
If that’s not enough to get you picking up a book, many rappers have noted that they expanded their vocabulary by reading. Eminem famously studied the dictionary every day to learn new words, and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan is well renowned for his intelligence as a result of reading, something that can be heard through the intricate lyrics on Wu-Tang Clan Enter The Wu-Tang.
Improve focus
Technology has decreased the attention span of humans from around 12 minutes, to 5. If occupying yourself without technology by reading for 20-30 minutes every day, your attention span with gradually increase.
Improve overall wellness
Did you know that you burn calories while you read? Neither did we. There are also studies that link reading with longer life expectancy, and is pretty much guaranteed to help you fall asleep.
Improve self esteem
Frequent readers are likely to develop higher self esteem than those who don’t, because books often remind us that we are only human, and everybody has flaws.
Not only is reading great for you mind and body, but it is a lot of fun at the same time. There is nothing more enjoyable than getting lost in a great book. Looking for somewhere to start? Why not check out this list of the best fantasy books to kick off your daily reading habit.