The Benefits of Reading

"The more you read the more things you know. The more that you learn the more places you'll go" - Dr Seuss.

Think. When was the last time you read a book, or a newspaper article? A Facebook comment or ingredients on a Weetabix box? Reading is part of our everyday lives. Although many people use e-books nowadays, there's nothing more satisfying than opening a book to reveal the old-book smell. If you are one of many people who do not read regularly, you're missing out on a lot!

Stress levels are reduced. Researchers at Sussex University showed that reading can lower your stress levels by as much as sixty eight percent. No matter how stressed you are due to personal issues, nothing relieves the stress more than immersing yourself into a sensational story. A well-written book can enter you into a new, enchanted world and at the same time, drain your worries away and allow you to relax yourself.

You increase your knowledge. Every sentence you read in an engaging book will add new bits of information to your mind, that may become useful at any time. The more knowledge you have, the more prepared you are if you are ever faced with any challenges. You should always be eager to discover new things and expand your horizons. No matter where you're willing to go in life, it is impossible without knowledge. Taking time to read more, whether it be the morning newspaper or a novel, will undoubtedly lead you in the right direction.

Your vocabulary is expanded. When you read, you are certain to come across a word that is unfamiliar to you. You search the definition of that word. The definition is then stored in your mind, and when you next see that word, you will immediately recognise it. It is also bound to creep its way into your everyday vocabulary. Being articulate and having a vast range of vocabulary in your speaking is a great bonus in any task, and when you are aware of your impressive words, your self-esteem is therefore boosted. Knowing what people are talking about and being able to portray your feelings in the most perfect way, is a vital part of being a human.

The mind becomes more tranquil. It is a known fact to all, that reading is one of the most common activities people do to calm themselves. We all know those traumatic days, when we just want to forget everything. Throw yourself into a comfortable chair. Brew yourself a cup of tea. Grab yourself an inviting book. See? You've already loosened up! When all of your focus is on this book, and nothing else, that's when the mind is peaceful. Instead of having millions of thoughts dart through your mind, it is finally at ease when you read.

You can save yourself in awkward situations. Have you ever run out of things to say when speaking to someone? We all know it's probably the most uncomfortable feeling ever to have existed. If you read a lot of books, there will always be something to speak about. "Hey did you read The Girl On The Train?" "Oh my goodness, it's only the BEST book ever!" And the conversation continues. The possibilities of sharing books that you have read with others are endless!

For sheer entertainment. All of the benefits mentioned so far are a bonus result of the most essential reason to read: its entertainment value. Not only is reading enjoyable, it also has several advantages. There is a genre of books for everyone: if classical literature is not up your alley, try romance novels! If it takes a lengthy amount of time to find what's for you, don't give up! There is always something out there that will capture your full attention and curiosity. So try it today: put aside some time to crack open a book. And trust me, reading will make a huge impact on your life.