Why We Should Read Every Day

Smarter

Beyond the benefits of an expanded vocabulary and increased knowledge, reading can boost intelligence, improve memory, sharpen thinking skills and improve our writing. [2]

From early in life to late in life, reading is important for our intellectual development.

• Even before they’ve fully developed their reading skills, children can benefit from having access to printed materials and being read to on a regular basis. Exposing them to books, magazines, and more at an early age is a great way to encourage them to be life-long readers, which means they’ll reap these benefits for years to come. [1]

• A study of 1,890 sets of identical twins published in 2014 found that people who exhibit strong reading skills early in life grow up to be more intelligent. Because reading ability is something that’s learned, the study authors concluded that more emphasis should be placed on teaching strong reading skills to young children. [2]

• The mental stimulation of reading can slow the progress of (or possibly even prevent) Alzheimer’s and Dementia, since keeping your brain active and engaged prevents it from losing power. [2]

Kinder

Researchers have found that people who read fiction, especially literary fiction [sidebar], tend to better understand and share in the feelings of others. Characters hook us into stories. Without necessarily even noticing, we imagine what it’s like to be them and compare their reactions to situations with how we responded in the past, or imagine we might in the future. The cognitive psychologist Keith Oatley is a leader in research on the connection between reading fiction and empathy. “Reading novels enables us to become better at actually understanding other people and what they’re up to,” says Oatley. “Reading fiction enables you to sample across a much wider range of possible people and come to understand something about the differences among them.” [3, 4]

It is the act of reading itself that promotes a change in individuals. It’s not that people who are naturally more empathetic gravitate toward fiction, or that fiction readers have specific personality traits primed for greater empathy. “When we subtract all these things out, which we did [in our research], this idea that reading fiction enables people to understand others better was still there,” Oatley says. [3]

Researchers have found that some of the neural mechanisms the brain uses to make sense of narratives in stories share similarities with those used in real-life situations. People who often read fiction are more skilled at working out what other people are thinking and feeling. Using brain scans, researchers found that while reading fiction, there is more activity in the parts of the brain involved in simulating what other people are thinking. [4]

BBC Future explores the connection between reading fiction and increasing empathy, including the three advantages that reading fiction has over other types of reading for improving our empathy. [link sidebar]

Calmer

Reading is a relaxing pastime, an excellent de-stresser and a way to improve concentration and focus. When we become absorbed in a book or magazine article, the hectic outside world drops away.

• Stressed out after a long work day? Reading is an excellent way to wind down. A 2009 study found that 30 minutes of reading had the same stress-reducing effect as 30 minutes of yoga. [1]

• Too busy to read during the day? Consider reading as an alternate to scrolling through your phone at night. Research has shown that smartphone use at night makes it harder for people to fall asleep and leads to an overall decline in sleep quality. Some experts say reading books can have relaxing effects, making it the ideal bedtime activity. [1]

• Want to improve focus and concentration? Multi-tasking throughout the day draws our attention in many different directions, increases stress, and lowers productivity. When you read a book, all of your attention is focused on the story and you immerse yourself in every detail. Some find that reading 15-20 minutes before work improves their focus when they are at the office. [2]

• Looking for more tranquility in your life? Reading spiritual texts can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm, while reading self-help books has been shown to help people suffering from certain mood disorders. [2]

Although Henry David Thoreau advised to "read the best books first," the best place to start is with something you enjoy, something that engages your attention. Commit part of each day to reading. It is one of the best investments of your time that you can make.

References: [1] Mental Floss [2] Lifehack [3] Discover Magazine [4] BBC Future [5] Wikipedia