Aaaaah. The smell of a new book when you flip through its pages for the first time...It’s
magical. But who has the time to sit down with a book?
Surprisingly, adults spend almost 2 to 3 hours a day on smartphones
and television. What if you gave some of that time to books?
In today's video, let's discuss how reading can benefit you.
Can it prevent Alzheimer's? What about stress management?
Wait a minute, can you live longer if you just read more? We’re discussing all that and more
1. Expands your vocabulary Pick up a book if you really want
to have an edge over your peers and colleagues. Reading more books will introduce you to new words
all the time. There are just so many professions that require you to be articulate and well-spoken.
Learning words while you read is much easier than reading them out from a dictionary.
Probably because you get the context in which it is being used more accurately.
Being exposed to new words repeatedly can slowly make their way in your daily conversations.
Which was the last word that you stumbled upon while reading? Tell us what it means in the
comment section and start a conversation with our ever-growing bestie community.
2. Improve concentration and focus Sometimes your mind can be difficult
to tame. When you are required to concentrate on the task at hand it will keep wandering off. You
might also find yourself taking frequent breaks to check on your phone or chat on social media.
At the end of the day, you might realize that it's been a completely unproductive affair. Reading
is one habit you can cultivate, literally right now, and improve your concentration.
You will be amazed that reading for just 20 minutes a day will help you to focus better.
3. Can motivate you
Books can open the doors to a new world. There are just so many things to read. There are stories,
fiction, narratives, and some serious reads like literature, scientific breakthroughs,
global events, and news. Take up anything that suits you. It is bound to motivate you.
It unfolds some experiences that you might not have experienced personally.
Reading inspirational books can give you new ideas to implement in your own work or personal life.
It can increase your problem-solving capability and develop a more analytical mind.
Self-care books can help you with mental decluttering and provide advice on how
to live. They will unlock the real potential within you and make you
happy. It is just miraculous to see a few words bring such a stark change in your personality.
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4. Broadens your imagination
Reading can be a great way to exercise your mind and brain. All great ideas are born to the people
who have taken up reading seriously. Albert Einstein also believed that regular readers had
a greater imagination and were able to discover more than an average human who did not read much.
Your imagination is the only thing that can limit your dreams. Scientists believe that
reading stimulates the right side of the brain and opens up the mind to new possibilities. Research
emphasizes starting this habit young in kids. Something as simple as reading out fairy tales to
children can stimulate their left-sided brain. It helps in understanding verbal cues, comprehending
and making a mental image of the situation, and analytically coming to different possibilities.
5. Prevent Alzheimer's disease Forgetfulness can creep into our
daily lives in simple forms. Initially, you may forget where you put your car keys or where your
favorite pair of socks is. But it does not take long until you start forgetting events and people.
Daily reading can keep your mind sharp. All those words, lines, and sentences will have a long-term
benefit on your brain health. A study pointed out that if you read a lot for your entire life
you are much less prone to get Alzheimer's or dementia. Isn't that a cool way to stop memory
decline? People who are academically involved in getting a formal education, even in later
phases of life, show a slower cognitive decline. Take up a course at the community center or any
online course that will elevate your skill set and keep that spark alive in your brain cells.
Living long is not just adding years to your life. It is about being able to enjoy all
those years. Before we go ahead, here are 7 foods that help prevent Alzheimer's Disease.
6. Can reduce stress and anxiety
How well do you handle pressure situations? Do you tend to crumble under stress?
If yes then reading can be the best way to combat it. It's a great way to take a detour when your
mind is invested in other pressing issues. You can delve deep into a book and get rid of stressors.
Studies show that reading for at least 30 minutes a day can dramatically reduce
stress. It has the same effect as laughing or yoga on your brain.
Additional reading can make you happy. It can also beat depression.
7. Improve your personality Everyone wants to have more friends.
Books can be your best friends, literally and figuratively. When you have more knowledge you
will be able to express your views on many topics. Naturally, people will be attracted to your
charismatic personality. You can also join a book club to discuss your recent reads with like-minded
people. It's a known fact that well-read personalities are always surrounded by people.
You won't have to make excuses to leave a conversation. Instead,
you'll always have something to add to it. You will be able to be friends with people
having varied areas of interest all because of reading from all spheres and genres.
This can be especially important for introverts who are always shy to talk in front of people.
Biographies and fictional stories have the power to change lives. Reading can help you to achieve
your dream personality. If you prefer being in your own shell, reading still brings you good
news. Reading can satisfy the need for human connection and can give you the same vibe as
social interactions. That is why so many people spend their “me-time” with a book.
They don't feel left out as they are still able to live a socially fulfilling life.
8. Boosts sleep Things you do
before going to bed can have an impact on the quality of your sleep. Let's suppose you are
scrolling through your smartphone lying in bed waiting for sleep to kick in...All the blue
light from the screen makes your brain more alert and compels it to stay awake for a longer time.
That is why experts believe that using screens is the worst habit before going to bed.
Set a routine that can slowly put you to sleep. Make it a habit to
read every day before you hit the bed. It can even be for 10 minutes.
It can take your mind off of whatever is troubling you and help you sleep better.
9. Makes you empathetic It's not always about reading the serious stuff.
Reading about flying carpets, sci-fi concepts and werewolves has a distinctive benefit. Some might
feel that stories and fictional books are for kids or amateurs. But science begs to differ.
A study shows that people who read more fiction did better when it came
two demonstrating social empathy. Stories can unzip the secret compartments of your heart,
to carefully tuck those new characters in it. You tend to become one with the storyline. You start
seeing the world from the characters’ eyes. It can make you feel deeply for people in real life too.
A mix of fiction and non- fiction should be the ideal combination for reading.
10. Helps you to write better Even if being a writer is not
your ultimate dream, you should give reading a genuine try. We
are constantly writing for jobs or special circumstances at work.
Messages, letters, birthday cards, or even simple texting require you to write well.
Reading different styles of other authors can improve your word choice and writing styles.
The more you read the more it will get reflected in your writing.
All writers are avid readers. It helps them with a direction for their thought processes.
11. Increases your lifespan Who doesn't want to live longer?
We often think that exercising and the correct diet is the way to achieve it.
But there is more to it. Something as simple as reading can be a fun and entertaining way
to live long. Studies have shown that people who read regularly show that they lived longer
when compared to their peers. So it's never too late to cultivate this habit, starting today.
If you dream of living long you also need to fuel your body with
the correct food. Have you been eating right?
Let's keep the conversation going with a couple of more food-related
videos that’ll help you live longer, shall we?
Watch 14 foods that will help you live a longer healthier life
or 15 foods that can help you live longer
Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about what you should be eating
to live long. Do you know of any other benefits of reading? Let us know in the comments below!