The Benefits of Reading Books

Today’s society is deeply intertwined with technology, and books — both physically and in terms of our attention spans — seem to be becoming a dying endeavor. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean you can’t still engage in the art of reading a good book.

Books give you the freedom to imagine your own setting, to get lost in another world, or to enrich your hobbies and interests. As our children become hooked on phones and tablets that have games and movies available at the swipe of a finger, it’s important to keep them interested in reading and to remind ourselves why it is such an important pastime.

1. Books foster imagination

Although technology is changing the way we read, parents should find a way to help their kids understand that reading can change their life. E-book or print book, reading awakens one’s imagination. Reading makes people more intelligent, more outspoken, and ultimately, more open-minded. Books are free entertainment, and easily accessible at a local library or with the click of a button.

Books are packed with stimuli and they’re an educational tool should be implemented at a very early age. It’s vital for kids to develop their creating thinking as soon as possible.  Additionally, reading improves our ability to empathize and understand others when we are immersed in their stories.

2. Reading reduces stress

We live in a fast-paced era of computers and social media. This can be detrimental to both our concentration, and our mental health. Getting lost in a great story is unlike anything else, and reading can be an escape from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Studies show that you only need to read silently for 6 minutes for the heart rate to slow and for tension to decrease.

3. Reading improve focus

Just 30 minutes of reading can improve concentration, analytical and listening skills. Reading long sentences and focusing on what they say is actually a skill, and one we can lose. Studies show that we read on screens in an “F” pattern, meaning we read the first few lines and skim the rest of the text. The less we read, the more difficult reading, getting lost in a book or comprehending something complex will become.

Additionally, reading helps improve our memory. Between complex characters or simply making connections between events, books allow us to digest and recall things at our own pace, unlike movies or other forms of entertainment.

4. Books improve vocabulary and are great learning tools

Books help kids improve their vocabulary not just set off creative thinking and imagination. They can also enhance communication and writing skills, and are a great way to improve language skills — whether it’s a first or a second language.

Reading a book, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, can teach you or your child things about the world. The way others live, how to improve your life, new information about a particular hobby or time period — books are full of fun, interesting new pieces of information.

Books can polish the way we think, act and interact. They motivate us to do things we never thought we could ever do, and they’re an excellent tool for self-development. With so many high-tech distractions out in the open, the activity might seem old-fashioned and boring. The future of books depends on who’s reading them. Parents should support reading, and they must find a way to make their kids love books. That can be something difficult to achieve, but not impossible.

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