Follow, in this post, 7 benefits of reading that we separate to encourage you to become a regular reader!
1. Stimulates creativity
Reading is an enriching habit that brings a series of benefits and improves several skills of the reader, and one of them is creativity. The stories presented in the books explore different scenarios. Depending on the author’s style, environments, characters and objects are described in great detail.
To enter this other universe, the reader needs to create the images and scenes in his mind and connect with the narrative. The more productive your imagination, the better the reading experience.
In this case, creativity brings a little individuality. That’s because the scenarios you build in your mind refer to your own inner world, that is, each reader imagines the story in their own way.
2. Exercise the brain
You already know that the habit of reading promotes intellectual growth, but investigations in the field of Neurology provide precise explanations for this. As the individual reads, he makes a greater number of synapses — neural connections. This means that reading is like gymnastics for the brain. As a result, several brain functions are favored.
There are even studies that analyze the relationship between the frequent practice of reading and the prevention of degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Research is still being done in the area, but the hypothesis is that the decline that occurs in the brain with advancing age can be reduced as the mind is exercised – and this occurs with those who read regularly.
3. Improves concentration and memorization
We just talked about the effects of reading on brain health. Cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration, are also heavily worked on while reading. Reading is excellent attention training and an effective resource for learning to concentrate. Especially when you’re reading in busier environments, where you have to make an effort to stay focused without being distracted by outside stimuli.
Likewise, those who read frequently can memorize information more easily, because this function is constantly trained when we follow a book. Over the course of the story, you absorb new data—character names, environment details, etc. — and you need to rescue them in the following chapters.
It is precisely by stimulating these cognitive functions that reading also facilitates the acquisition of new languages, that is, assiduous readers can demonstrate greater aptitude for learning other languages.
4. Expands vocabulary and general knowledge
When reading a book, you are faced with countless new words, some even quite refined and little used in everyday life, depending on the literary style. Vocabulary expansion is also useful when building well-crafted essays.
In addition to expanding his verbal repertoire, the reader expands his general knowledge. In books, you will always have access to new information about places in the world, historical periods, different cultures and much more. The learning acquired through reading is indisputable.
5. Develops brainstorming and writing skills
Have you ever heard that the more people read, the better they write? This is a fact! The two actions are always related. Interpreting data and facts, organizing thinking, formulating syntheses and linking ideas together are important skills that are developed with the habit of reading and, consequently, improve writing.
You can also perfect your style depending on the type of books you read. When we identify with the writing of a certain author, we tend to “inherit” some of the tone he uses in his texts. This happens almost automatically, that is, while we write, our mind can evoke this model.
6. Awakens critical sense and analytical flexibility
“Whoever does not read, is obliged to believe everything they tell him”. You’ve possibly seen a phrase similar to this one, haven’t you? This also leads us to Plato’s Myth of the Cave — one of the most important passages in Philosophy. Basically, it talks about the importance of searching for knowledge that goes far beyond what is presented to us.
Even today, thousands of years after Plato’s era, we are faced with similar situations. People have full access to reliable news sources and yet they easily believe any information that comes to them. More than that, they do not certify the veracity of the facts and disseminate the data without foundation, giving strength to a current of ignorance.
Reading, therefore, takes the individual out of this cycle of common sense and automatic positioning and allows him to have a critical look at the facts. This helps to look at the situation through different prisms and assume a more questioning stance.
7. Transports the reader to another universe
Finally, reading entertains, helps to distract, relax and relieve stress. The reader takes the focus away from the tensions and problems of everyday life and opens the doors to a parallel world, totally distant from their reality. The characters come to life and the scenarios are drawn in the mind of the reader, starting a rich journey, in which even emotions emerge as if they were real experiences.
Of all the benefits of reading, the most incredible is the dialogue that is built between two worlds: the one presented in books and what is inside each person. From this meeting of ideas and sensations, it is possible to learn to look at life from other angles. Reading is a habit that opens the mind and can make the reader a better person!
