“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.”
-Voltaire
The famous French Enlightenment writer and philosopher may have given the world his valuable piece of mind a long time back. His words remain true to this day, more accurate than they could ever be. The importance of reading is entirely unquestionable.
In a digital world where information is thrown around like confetti, the importance of a good read cannot be undermined. Granted that a smartphone is a treasure trove of information, and it can be pretty tempting to Google something rather than go through the pages of a book. Moreover, we’re all busy, hardly finding the time to get a good night’s sleep, let alone read a book! But keeping all those legit arguments aside, reading is much more than simply expanding knowledge or posting aesthetic photos of your books on Instagram.
It’s okay if you’re not a big fan of reading. But before you completely alienate yourself from books, make a small effort to step out of your comfort zone and learn about the incredible benefits of reading. You never know, but you may discover a new passion, and the next time someone asks, “why is reading important,” you’ll know what to say!
Seven Reasons Why Reading is Good For You
Ever found yourself asking why is reading good for you? Or, why at all should you finally take up the book that’s been lying on your shelf, covered in dust and neglect? Well, here are seven reasons to convince you why reading is good for you!
1. Reading expands your knowledge
Well, this one’s a no-brainer. Books are a gold mine of information, and with every book you read, you learn new things and expand your knowledge. The more you read, the more you know about different subjects (fiction and nonfiction), different places, different people, their cultures, thoughts, perspectives, and a lot more, without even traveling to their land. In a way, the knowledge you gain from reading helps you to make better, informed decisions in life. Regardless of the genre you read, reading will enlighten you in all ways imaginable.
2. Reading develops your vocabulary, improves language command, and strengthens communication skills
If you notice closely, avid readers almost always have a never-ending supply of new words, and they rarely ever falter for lack of good vocabulary. Well, that’s an incredible benefit of reading – it expands your vocabulary and introduces you to new words you otherwise wouldn’t know. Moreover, active reading helps you gain mastery over a particular language, and your ability to form sentences becomes better and quicker. A rich vocabulary and good command of language will naturally strengthen your communication skills, both written and spoken.
3. Reading improves focus and concentration
Focus and concentration seem like a luxury in the digital world, where dependence on technology is a necessary evil. Spending most of the day glued to some screen is unhealthy for our eyes and makes us lose focus and become impatient. However, developing the habit of reading can be a constructive step towards improving your concentration power. Reading a book focuses all your attention on the present and broadens your attention span amidst the constant stream of activities and interruptions of modern life.
4. Reading ignites your imagination and nurtures creative thinking
Reading opens up a world of imagination that no TV show or movie can offer. While it’s true that movies and videos help us remember things better, they don’t quite trigger the creative side of our brain. But when you read a book, your brain gets the creative juices flowing and nudges you to paint a mental picture of what you read. Reading gives you ample food for thought to nourish your brain. It allows creative thinking and inspires you to reflect on and contemplate various subjects.
5. Reading enhances your critical and analytical thinking skills
Your brain processes a lot of information while reading, all simultaneously. It gives your brain many different perspectives and thoughts to comprehend. For example, suppose you’re reading a nail-biting mystery novel. As you read, your brain constantly tries to figure out the loopholes in the plot, who the murder could be, what could be the outcome of a particular event, or how different events can be connected to make proper sense. In a way, your brain works faster while you read, identifying patterns, solving puzzles, and analyzing all possible perspectives. Thus, reading sharpens your mind and fuels your analytical and critical thinking abilities.
6. Reading teaches empathy
In a world that profits from violence and conflict, having empathy is a rare blessing. Being empathetic means you are sensitive to the feelings of others, and however absurd it may seem, books do help you become a more compassionate person. When you read a book, you connect with the plot and the characters. You become a part of the story and begin to relate to what the characters go through. In other words, you understand their joys, pains, and sufferings and feel as if you are conversing with them in real life. Reading books also makes you a good listener because, in a way, you listen to what the author has to convey through the characters, dialogues, and storyline.
7. Reading gives you a sense of belonging and keeps you grounded
Are you feeling lost and lonely? Books can be your best friend. It may sound funny, but sometimes a good read is all you need to calm and comfort yourself, much like having your comfort food at the end of a long day. When we read, we learn about different people who went through hard times and still made it in the end. It makes us feel that we are not alone and gives us hope to carry on with life despite obstacles. Moreover, the more you read, you’ll realize how limited your knowledge is and how much further you still need to go. It’s a constant practice of humility.
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Conclusion
The importance of reading cannot be overstated in the modern digital world. The incredible benefits of reading go beyond killing time to give you a wholesome experience. Regardless of your age, reading can change your life for the better. It doesn’t matter if you weren’t taught to imbibe a healthy reading habit when you were a child – you can begin anytime, whether you’re 13 or 30.
Even if you read one page a day, make sure that you gradually develop it into a habit, and you’ll see the transformation very soon. From sharpening your cognitive abilities to helping you connect better with others, reading can play a vital role in shaping your personality and outlook on life.
