Wait…People Still Read?

In a world filled with sound bites, memes, and social media, it seems that reading has become a lost art. Why sit down with a book when you could watch pictures flash on a screen or become lost in an avalanche of cat videos?

In truth, getting absorbed in a good book will benefit not only your mind, but your emotions and psychological makeup as well.  Here are some of the best reasons to encourage your child (and yourself!) to read:

Imagination

Reading stimulates the part of your brain that houses your imagination. When we become lost in a book, we step into the world the author has created. We can live in outer space…travel back in time…become a superhero…our options are truly limitless. Living in a world of possibilities gives us the capacity to think outside the box in our everyday lives. We develop creative ways to solve problems, as well as increasing our empathy for fellow human beings.

Decision Making

How would you react if your flight to Mars suddenly veered off track and you were left floating in the vast expanse of space? I’m guessing you’ll never find out….unless you read a book. We can confront a plethora of situations we would never experience in real life, and by so doing, discover capable we truly are.

Cognitive development

Concentrating on a book not only keeps the mind active, but improves memory and focus. In our current world of sound bites, memory and focus sometimes atrophy from disuse. Sadly, we need those two cognitive qualities to pursue the dreams we have for our lives. Reading will exercise that part of our brain, giving us a path forward into unlimited possibilities.

Knowledge

Have you ever come across a word in a book that you know you’ve never seen before, but somehow you can tell what it means just from the context of the sentence? Reading exposes our brains to new words. It also improves language and communication skills. And, of course, any subject we want to know more about….there’s a book for that!

Lowers stress

Let’s face it…we live with a lot of stress. Sometimes it feels like we’re being pulled apart at the seams. Stress can not only negatively affect your mental health, it also affects your physical health. Getting lost in a good book relieves the pressures of the day. It also reduces anxiety and blood pressure. So next time you want to bang your head against a wall, pick up a book instead!

So with all of these reasons, the question is…why wouldn’t you read? Pick up a book that speaks to you and reap all the benefits reading has to offer!