“We need to learn not simply to read books but to allow ourselves to be read by them.” - Mark Edmundson, Why Read?

What was the last book you read? Thinking hard? Or when did you finish off with a printed book? Can’t remember? I guess, it is almost the same story with all of us. We are super-busy going through (mind it, not “reading”) tweets, Facebook updates, online news updates or product descriptions (while we shop for our favorite cosmetic brand or choose a new pizza topping). But we rarely have time to “read” news articles, features, stories, and last of all books. This goes without saying that it is taking a toll on our health (both mental and physical).

Some years back, Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS) conducted a survey of more than 20,000 retirees, giving us interesting insights about the reading habits and health of more than 3,600 men and women over the age of 50: People who read books of any kind (fiction or non-fiction) for at least 30 minutes a day over several years had an average life span of two years longer than people who did not read anything at all. The HRS study also revealed that book readers who reported more than three hours of reading each week were 23% less likely to die between 2001 and 2012 than their peers who read only newspapers or magazines.

Research shows that the practice of reading books, creates a habit of a lifetime, with enhanced reading and language-acquisition skills that support healthy brain functioning in big ways.

Simply put: book reading offers some of the best-known perks of life. We have discussed some of them here.

1. BETTER VOCABULARY According to Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you’ll go.” Reading a good book opens up a whole world of knowledge before you. Exposure to that new vocabulary leads to higher scores on reading and general tests of intelligence. In addition, inculcating a reading habit early in life may mean higher intelligence later in life. A quick tip: read a printed book. Research suggests that reading on a screen can slow you down by as much as 20%-30%.

2. BETTER MEMORY A regular habit of reading improves memory. When you are reading a book your mind captures all the characters that you come across (assuming you are reading a story) taking note of their peculiarities, idiosyncrasies, and behavioral actions. When you are reading an insightful article your mind records the facts that you have read. In addition, you also have to remember plot changes, names of places (details do count), dates, nuances, as well as the various arcs and sub-plots. It is quite interesting to note how, every new memory you create forges new synapses (brain pathways) and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory recall as well as stabilizing moods. Read a book today, before you go to sleep.

3. IMPROVED FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION What are you doing now? Reading this post? Listening to a podcast? Checking social media notifications? And also keeping track of emails? Since when have we become experts (read failures, mostly) at multi-tasking and doing nothing in total? We attempt to achieve a million tasks in a split second, and in the process inch closer to loss of concentration and poor memory. We are constantly distracted causing our stress levels to rise and lowering our productivity. It’s time to press the pause button! Pick up that book your aunt gifted you on your last birthday. Very soon you will notice a difference in yourself. All your attention is focused on the story—forgetting the rest of the world. Try reading for 15-20 minutes every day before work and you will be amazed at the results; feeling much more focused you are once you are in office. A quick tip: Read one book at a time.

4. WORD POWER INCREASES BRAIN POWER Reading exposes you to new words and phrases. You start thinking of the new words learned and use them as and when required. This, in turn, expands your thinking capacity. Learning foreign words is even better. Non-native speakers gain exposure to words used in different contexts, which will ameliorate their own speaking and writing fluency.

5. SHARPENS INTELLECT AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS Reading stories, especially science fiction or crime thrillers intrigues our thinking minds to wander and find answers to the mysteries. Our critical and analytical thinking starts taking note of all the tiny details and sorting them out. It is interesting to note that the same ability that leads us to analyze details helps us in critiquing the plot; judging its literary merit, characterization, and plot development. If you have ever discussed a book with others, you will know what I am saying. You will have a very strong opinion of your own.

6. STRESS BUSTER Reading books is one of the best ways to de-stress. A 2009 study by Sussex University researchers shows that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68 percent. “It really doesn’t matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination,” cognitive neuropsychologist David Lewis told The Telegraph. An engrossing novel can help your mind take a sojourn to untraveled realms of imagination. Reading a research article will fill your mind with new facts, clearing out the stress of everyday life.

7. READ MORE TO WRITE BETTER It goes without saying that a good writer lives within a good reader. The more you read, the better are your chances of being a good writer. Expanded vocabulary, exposure to different writing styles, genres, improves your writing. A regular habit of book reading helps you observe the writing styles of authors, journalists, poets, and writers and develop your own signature style.

Reading works of writer friends goes a long way in shaping your writing style and different perspectives. Writing retreats give you ample scope of reading each others’ works. Know more about the Six Literary Retreats to Explore in 2019.

8. GAIN MORE KNOWLEDGE Every time you read something, your head is filled with new bits of information, which you can make use of while writing. Reading expands your vision, and this newly-gained knowledge can help you go ahead with your writing. The more you read on a particular subject, the better is your understanding. Your enhanced knowledge helps you grow as a writer and prepares you to take up writing challenges.

9. BUILDS COGNITIVE RESERVE Reading fills your mind and exposes you to new words, phrases, and facts. New research indicates that a larger and richer vocabulary often leads to a more resilient mind by fueling what scientists call cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve helps your brain cells locate new mental pathways and heal areas damaged by stroke, dementia, and other forms of decay.

“The most fruitful and natural exercise for our mind is, in my opinion, conversation.” ― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays: A Selection

Related: Writing for Self-discovery and Healing

A recent report by researchers of Spain’s University of Santiago de Compostela shows that reading can significantly delay the manifestation of mental decline. The team analyzed vocabulary test scores of more than 300 volunteers aged 50 and older and inferred that participants with the lowest scores were between three and four times more at risk of cognitive decay than participants with the highest scores.

10. IMPROVES MENTAL STIMULATION Studies have shown that reading causes mental stimulation and in the progress slows down Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Regular reading keeps your brain active and engaged. The brain, like any other muscle in the body, requires continuous exercise to keep it strong and healthy. Reading books induces your brain muscles to work, to think, to ponder on the new ideas, conflict of thoughts, find answers to riddles and wait for more. Stay active and alert with regular reading. What are you currently reading? What do you recommend? Let us know.