5 Surprising Benefits of Reading Every Day: Why You Should Make Time for Books

I love reading, and I love books!

But why is reading important? Reading is fun, but it is also really good for you. Here are the top five reasons why you should read every day!

I love to read. I have always been a bookworm, and my favorite moments are when I am curled up on the couch or in bed, deep into a great book.

Teaching the Next Generation

I want my children to enjoy reading as much as I do, so we read picture books when they are young and move on to novels as they grow.

We have tons of books in our house; I constantly get books out from the library- physical books or on my Kindle with the Libby app, and we borrow books from anyone we can.

Luckily for my kids and me, reading books is an extremely important and beneficial thing to do.

Reading is one of my greatest hobbies because of all the amazing benefits there are to reading books. I love curling up with a good book!

Why is reading important? There are so many benefits to reading books, especially for our children. For many reasons, kids who are read to regularly often are more successful in life.

There are so many benefits to reading books!

5 Reasons To Read Every Day

1. Reading Books Encourages Empathy

One of the great benefits of reading is that it equips people of all ages with new ideas and a new language for expressing ideas about the world.

It even helps people develop a sense of morality.

Many studies show the effects of reading fiction books on developing a person’s ability to empathize and have found that when a person, particularly children, lives the struggles and experiences the human condition from other people’s perspectives when reading, they learn to humanize others better.

Since reading puts you in the place of another character, you learn to live and see the world from other people’s perspectives which helps you develop empathy.

 

2. Reading Books Helps To Increase Vocabulary

Kids who are read to regularly early in their childhood are exposed to over a million more words by the time they reach kindergarten than those who aren’t- this exposure means that children learn an expanded vocabulary from reading books.

In addition, when reading books, you expose yourself to different patterns of language and vocabulary not used in everyday life- this gives you more and more vocabulary to use and lean on.

When we read, even as adults, we learn new things, including new language and vocabulary, which helps us keep on learning- even outside school hours.

 

3. Reading Books Makes You Better at School

When you read to a child regularly, you give them a chance to be better at school.

Not only do children become better readers and more fully prepared to begin school, but they also understand new skills more easier and more quicker than children who aren’t as exposed to reading.

In addition, when you read, you learn language patterns, new words, problem-solving, and important information. All of this helps you become better at school and gives you an academic advantage.

 

4. Reading Books Makes You Less Stressed

Who knew that reading has health benefits? Who enjoys being stressed? Not me!

Stress is an inevitable part of life. But high levels of stress are not good for your health. Reading is known to be a good stress management technique, and it helps reduce tension.

According to a study done by the University of Sussex, reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. This is because reading relaxes the muscles and lowers your heart rate, lowering your stress levels and blood pressure. Reading lowers stress levels.

Want to live longer and have a more relaxed life? Read a book!

 

5. Reading Books Makes You Feel More Positive

Reading enjoyable books is an even better stress reliever. Funny books help you relax, and fiction books help you see that anything is possible. Information that we receive throughout the day affects us, even if we don’t realize it.

If you are constantly overloaded with negative information or keep thinking negative thoughts, you start to adopt a negative mindset. This can be disastrous to your mental health.

On the other hand, if you read positive things, you send positive messages to your subconscious mind and create a positive mindset.

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This post originally appeared on A Dime Saved.