Why You Should Read: A Life-Changing Habit You Should Develop
We are living in a distraction-dominated world right now, and social media is dominating the distraction. We don’t love reading anymore, or we can’t read now. Many people think they don’t have time to read, while others can’t see any value in reading. Sadly, both are not right. They have time to read, but they spend it somewhere else. Those who don’t find any value in reading, they say it without reading. They are not readers, and that’s why they can’t see the value.
If you are one of those who believe reading is genuinely worth your time but can’t start reading yet, then read ahead. I will try to convince you why you should start reading immediately after this article.
Reading Sharpens Your Mind
A sharp mind is the most powerful weapon you can have inside your body. A warrior needs a sharpened sword to win a physical battle, but having a sharpened mind is more effective on the battlefield. If you are a “Game of Thrones” fan, then I would love to quote Tyrion Lannister here:
“My brother has his sword, and I have my mind...and a mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge.”
- Tyrion Lannister
Just like exercise, it keeps our body fit and makes us energetic. Reading does the exact same thing for our brains. It strengthens our brain by improving cognitive functions. I’m not diving deep into scientific methods here, but keep in mind that reading has scientifically proven value.
Reading Improves Your Vocabulary and Communication Skills
One of the prominent benefits of reading is that it improves language skills. Reading introduces us to many new and unique words that strengthen our vocabulary. With a strong vocabulary, you will communicate better.
Reading is mandatory for the writers. Writers get inspiration from reading, and it helps a lot to increase the writing quality. Reading and writing are deeply interconnected. It’s like two sides of a coin. Pam Allyn, an American literacy expert and author, said-
“Reading is like breathing in, and writing is like breathing out.”
- Pam Allyn
Especially if English is not your first language, reading native writers’ novels and non-fiction will help you to sound like a native. So, if you want to become a better speaker or writer, developing a reading habit is a must.
Reading Reduces Stress and Boosts Mental Health
Books can give us relief from the chaos of everyday life. Studies have shown that when you read, your brain releases dopamine, and we all know that dopamine helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Reading can improve your sleeping quality. Reading instead of scrolling social media before bed will help you sleep better by avoiding screens. According to research, a 30-minute reading can lower heart rate and reduce stress more effectively than listening to music or drinking tea.
If you are feeling overwhelmed right now, grab a book and give yourself a smooth and calm mental journey.
Reading Can Make You a Creative Person
Books introduce us to a new world. When we read books, in particular fiction, it helps us visualize scenarios, characters, and places. It makes our imagination power strong. Imagination power is crucial for being a creative person. Albert Einstein, the “father of modern physics,” said –
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
- Albert Einstein
When we read about different characters, we can involve ourselves in the thought process, the challenges the character is going through, and how he overcomes his struggles. Then, we can relate to and implement that in our personal lives.
For example, when we read “Sherlock Holmes”, we start to think like him. We begin to observe things very closely. That’s how reading can creatively affect our minds.
Reading Can Make You a Better Decision-Maker
You can make better decisions in your personal and professional life when you are a reader. You gather knowledge by reading, and you can think of a situation from diverse viewpoints. By becoming more informative, it helps to make a better decision.
Did you notice that CEOs read more than ordinary employees? Think about Elon Musk; he received no formal rocket science education. He was asked how he learned about rocket science; he simply replied, “I read books.” Musk loved science fiction so much. He spent almost 10 hours reading in his childhood. All his love and passion for science fiction have significantly impacted building companies like SpaceX and Tesla.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is a serious reader. He read almost 50 books per year, which comes out to one book per week. Bill Gates also isolates himself twice a year for one week. This term is known as “Think Week”. This week, he doesn’t do any work; he just reads and thinks. Gates discovered many of the innovative ideas for Microsoft from this his “Think Week”.
Books can be a great teacher if you want to make wiser and better decisions.
Reading is a Free Source of Lifelong Learning
Last but not the least, one of the best things about reading is we can learn anything by reading books. Reading a book on a particular topic is the best way to learn something. I mentioned Elon Musk and rocket science in the previous paragraph. Bill Gates believes that books are the best source of information about a topic. He said,
“Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.”
- Bill Gates
You don’t need a classroom to learn something. If you find something you are passionate about that is out of your academic syllabus. You still can learn and master that thing. You will find many examples of famous people who are not renowned for their academic subjects but for the subjects in which they are self-educated.
Remember, reading doesn’t stop after school like the traditional education system. It’s a lifelong habit that will make you stand out.
Conclusion: Make Reading a Daily Habit
If you struggle to make time for reading, start with a 10 to 15-minute daily reading. You don’t have to read for one long hour, but think you have time to scroll social media for 2-3 hours straight. It doesn’t help you anyway. It will drain your brain, but books will do the opposite. It will make you calm, creative, and a better thinker.
I hope I have convinced you why you should start reading. Do it for 15-20 minutes every day. After 1 month, you will realize you’re not the same person that was 1 month before. Pick a book today and be a reader, be a lifelong learner. Happy reading!