The current climate toward reading in our culture is lukewarm at best. Even though statistics indicate that people are still reading, the competition for the time and attention of readers is being swallowed by a digital addiction.
With the growth of social media, along with the explosion of video games, movies, and shows, people are spending alarming amounts of time on their devices. Sites like Netflix and Hulu make binge-watching shows not only possible but a fashionable trend.
The sad reality is that our culture could end up being lured away from the printed word and increasingly drawn further into the world of media entertainment.
One of the TOP reasons to read a book this summer (and all year round!) is to combat the trend toward digital addiction.
If that isn’t enough of a reason, here are twenty more:
1. Reading entertains us. Human beings crave stories. And there is absolutely nothing that can fulfill that craving quite the way a book can.
2. Reading takes us to new places. We can travel all over the world, see foreign cultures, and mingle with people who are different than us.
3. Reading gives us adventures. Amidst the mundane of life, reading lets us experience thrills we often can’t have.
4. Reading relieves stress. Escaping into another world can help lighten the pressures of this world for a little while. In fact, research shows that six minutes of reading can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two thirds.
5. Reading gives us more to talk about. When we read, we have more fodder for discussion which can lead to deeper conversations.
6. Reading broadens our vocabulary. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we pick up new words and can become better communicators as a result.
7. Reading expands our imagination and creativity. Our brain has to do the work of picturing what we’re reading which allows us to create the story world the way we “see” it.
8. Reading is related a longer lifespan. On average, book readers were found to live for almost two years longer than non-readers, that as little as 30 minutes a day was still beneficial in terms of survival.
9. Reading increases intelligence. Research has shown the act of reading (and strengthening the brain muscles) can increase a person’s IQ.
10. Reading improves our memory. Reading stimulates the brain and has been shown to help slow memory decline and stave off symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
11. Reading lengthens our ability to concentrate. It forces us to sit, focus on the page, and take one word at a time (unlike the fast pace of social media).
12. Reading educates us. We learn about topics we might never explore on our own and builds a base of knowledge we can use in other areas of life.
13. Reading shapes us into better writers. As our brains absorb the structure and flow of words, we develop an ability to use language more effectively.
14. Reading can assist us in falling asleep. A few pages before bedtime can help us unwind, slow down, clear our minds, and turn off the problems of the world.
15 Reading is an inexpensive hobby. Anyone can do it. Go to the library. Enough said.
16. Reading busts boredom. Unlike many other hobbies, we can read anywhere and at anytime. And we don’t have to rely upon an internet connection.
17. Reading teaches us life lessons. We watch characters grow which gives us a model that we can use in our personal lives.
18. Reading widens our perspective on life. As we see the world through someone else’s eyes, we become more empathetic.
19. Reading allows us to travel through time. We can go back to various eras or travel forward into the future.
20. Reading has the power to change our LIVES. Not just our brains and bodies, but our LIVES. Stories help us realize we aren’t alone in our struggles, give us hope, and challenge us to live better lives.
What benefits do YOU find from reading? Anything YOU would add to my list?
Jody Hedlund
Latest posts by Jody Hedlund (see all)
- Saying Farewell - October 7, 2022
- Another New Book Release - September 16, 2022
- The Beauty of Weddings - September 2, 2022
Standing ovation to you for a fantastic list. I agree with all the wonderful reasons and just for the sheer enjoyment of it. I love that a good book can help you soothe a stressful day and take you out of yourself and into another world. Hooray for books and reading!
Thank you, Rochelle! The sheer enjoyment is truly tops of the list! If only more people could catch on to that reason, right? 🙂
Great reasons for reading – one of my favorite pastimes since I was a child. We are a family of readers, and my children and grandchildren can always count on a book or B&N gift card for occasions.
Unfortunately, I agree that technology, social media, etc. all cut into reading time. I have recently begun reading on tablets, but still prefer an actual book in my hands. I have found that my eyes hurt more when reading electronically. I also worry that the almost total use of computers and other technology in education is encouraging children to do less reading. They more often go toward video games or you tube videos.
I retired from teaching four years ago, and felt the amount of technology was excessive at that time and has only become more so. I follow my ten year old granddaughter’s education very closely and have been dismayed by what is happening. She said not long ago, “Grandma, I love to read, but I hate reading class.” She tested at reading on an 8th grade level last fall at the beginning of 5th grade. Everyday they read in a computer program called Achieve 3000 and have to complete a certain number of articles each week. She calls it ‘boring’. All of their tests are on the computer, also, so children are being conditioned to use all of these devices – laptop, iPad, chrome book – all of the time. I don’t see things changing in the future.
Hi Betty,
So sad to hear that reading is “boring” for your granddaughter. That’s such a shame! Teachers at that level should be doing everything possible to develop a love of reading in their students. I’m not sure how teachers can do that other than putting really good books into their students’ hands and perhaps reading aloud to them from books. I wouldn’t have been interested in “articles” at her age either! It is definitely worrisome that kids are turning to video games, YouTube, and Netflix more and more for their entertainment and at such high levels!
Reading is a worth while way to spend your leisure time. Better than Facebook or tv.
I will share this with everyone I know! I absolutely love to read. Than, you for making this list, it made my day!
I truly do love the travel aspect of it the best.
What a wonderful list of reasons for reading. I am definitely sharing this. I, too, as a grandmother and retired teacher constantly encourage others to read. This list will be great fodder for my arguments!
Great list. I love to read. I love to write, also. Reading and writing give me peace.
I love them all. I had to share #8 with my daughter- she will live to be over a hundred I’m sure (some of her books are looking toward the end of their days from being reread so often). And #18 is just beautiful- THANK YOU!
I shared this list on Facebook and am pleased to report that most of my friends don’t need a reason to read. We all enjoy reading for enjoyment!Fiction, non-fiction, and multiple genres, all are appreciated and enjoyed by us. Of course, most responders were 50+ years old, so that may reinforce the statements in your introductory paragraphs 🙂
Great article!Thank you, Jody! The digital addiction in our culture that you speak of is so evident, and so very sad. We need to be the change we want to see, and step away from those devices that are stealing so much of our time and distracting us from reality. I’ve heard some people call the cell phone a ‘pocket god.’ It’s frightful to think, but if we are really honest about it, and about the way our devices, social media, etc., are competing against our personal, all-important relationship Christ Jesus – as well as our family and loved ones around us – we will need to admit that we are not far from literally ‘bowing down’ to our own pocket gods…