Reading for pleasure can be beneficial as it helps improve important skills or can provide an outlet of relaxation. Opening a book is one of my favorite ways to unwind, and it’s also a fun way to learn about a new world and characters. I don’t always read every day, and that’s okay! If you are reading at least some of the time, you will unlock its plethora of benefits.
Here are 7 benefits of reading:
- Expand Your Vocabulary:
When reading, you will inevitably encounter words that you don’t know. By using context clues provided by the novel, this can help you understand the meaning of the word. When you come across these new words, you are learning new vocabulary that you can eventually use in conversations, writings, and more. Expanding your vocabulary not only makes you sound more educated, but it will allow you to find more accurate words to describe your thoughts. - Expand Writing Skills:
Every author has a different writing style or technique. The more books you read, the more you will recognize which writing styles you like and which ones you don’t. For example, in the book, Normal People by Sally Rooney, her writing isn’t grammatically correct since she doesn’t use quotations when her characters are speaking. It is a little confusing at first, but it is surprisingly a style I like. - Stress Reliever:
When I am stressed, I tend to read as it gives me something else to focus on. I get to dive into an author’s world filled with characters and an intricate plot. It makes you feel like you are in a different reality, or in other words, it is an escape from reality, even if it is a temporary feeling. - Memory Improvement:
While you are reading, you are required to remember important information such as characters, places, and relationships. You must remember all those components to be able to understand what is happening in the novel. The more books you read, the more you are able to memorize. When I read, I have to put all my focus and attention on it, so I remember it as long as possible, not just temporarily. - Improves Sleeping Habits:
When you are on an electronic device at night, whether it be a phone or a laptop, they tend to keep you up longer and cause you to not get as much sleep due to the emitted blue light. Reading it is a calmer alternative to using technology before bed. Not only do you avoid shining strong lights in your face, but the words on the page can actually help you relax. However, if you do want to read on an electronic device such as a Kindle, there is a warmth setting, so you can customize the amount of blue light that is being emitted from the screen. I do this on my Kindle during the day, as well. Some people don’t like the warmth setting, as it does tend to make the screen a bit orange, but I like it much more than the harsh light of my phone. - Showing Empathy:
Books can have characters that we relate to. Whether it be looks, hobbies, feelings, or the same experiences, it does help knowing that someone, even if it’s a book character, has gone through the same experiences as you and that you are not alone. - Motivational:
Books we read have characters who overcome problems and struggles. When reading a book with a character in a similar situation, watching them overcome their problems and struggles can be motivation to help as well.
It is safe to stay reading for pleasure has numerous benefits, so put down your phone and pick up a book!
