By: Nonkcubeko Mkwalo
Most of our daily reading habits these days usually center around Tweets, Facebook updates and any other writings on social media platforms. Reading has a number of benefits and if you’re aren’t reading, then it means you’re really need to start doing it regularly. Below are some of the benefits of reading to get you to start reading:
Stress Reduction
One thing about reading is that it will always help you slip away from all your stress, whenever you get caught up in a good book. No matter how much you have at work, school or personal relationships- it all goes away when you occupy and transport your mind to other realms through reading. With this in mind, articles and novels distract you and keep you in the present moment, allowing you to relax.
Memory Improvement
Reading a book or novel requires you to remember information about the characters, their backgrounds, history, ambitions and nuances. Although these are easy things to remember, this teaches the brain and helps it practice remembering things with relative ease.
Improved Writing Skills
Exposure to published and well-written work does have an effect on one’s own writing, including observing, fluidity and writing skills. The same way, musicians influence and motivates other musicians is the same way writers have an impact on the readers. Due to the introduction of imagination and creativity you come across from reading books, you become better at word construction.
Improved Focus and Concentration
We live in an era where multi-tasking is something done daily to get through every day. In a few minutes, people are able to divide that little time between working on a task, chatting to people, checking emails, monitoring a cellphone and checking in in social media platforms. However, when you read a book- your main focus is on the story while the rest of the world fades away. With this in mind, your ability to focus is improved and you can immerse yourself in every detail that you’re absorbing.
Expanded Vocabulary
This definitely goes without saying, the more you read is the more words you get exposure to- as they will make their way into your everyday vocabulary. Reading helps you gain skills such as being articulate and well-spoken, which is a great quality to carry when it comes to certain professions. With that being said, you become a much more knowledgeable person who is aware about important things surrounding literature.
Tranquility
Apart from relaxation and the great company you get from reading, you also get a chance to experience peace and tranquility through the book. When you read you get to feel a sense of calm, as it can also help people with certain mood disorders and mental illnesses.
Apart from free entertainment, reading should be on everyone’s top priority list.
