Why You Should Read Every Day

WHY YOU SHOULD READ EVERY DAY?!

Morning coffeeMy books often have coffee and peanut butter on them. I know it sounds gross, but it’s all part of my relaxing morning routine. I get up, make a cup of coffee and a peanut butter waffle, and read a chapter or two while the house is still quiet.

I love that summers and other school holidays give me time to enjoy this routine, which often gets gobbled up by the hustle of our pre-school morning.

I start and end every day by reading. I have my morning routine, as described above, and my nightly routine of reading a chapter or two before I go to sleep. The nightly routine continues throughout the academic year.

I also read pretty much any other time I have a chance—while I’m waiting for meetings, when my family is watching television, etc. Not having time is just an excuse because it’s easy to make time for reading.

Daily reading helped me accomplish my goal of reading 108 books in 2013 and 150 books in 2014, but there are many more benefits to reading every day.

READING MAKES/KEEPS YOU SMART

Reading is an active mental process, which often replaces a passive activity like watching TV. People who read have have higher GPAs, higher intelligence, a more diverse vocabulary, and greater general knowledge than those who don’t.

Simply, reading gives you tools in your analytical toolbox. It helps make you a better thinker.

Reading also engages your brain, which essentially is working the muscles in your mind. The brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy now and over time.

READING REDUCES STRESS

There is little I enjoy more than sitting on my patio in the breeze or in a warm bubble bath and reading a good book. Reading is a form of escape, helping you forget the daily hassles of life and enjoy the world outside of your own. This escapism is probably why I don’t force myself to read books I don’t enjoy. Reading a book you don’t enjoy is stressful. I’d rather find pleasure in the hobby.

READING MAKES YOU A BETTER WRITER

Everything you read—good or bad—helps to inform your writing. This alone is enough of a reason to keep me reading.

Books Make You BetterREADING IMPROVES YOUR FOCUS

Internet consumption, much of which is done via mobile devices, makes it increasingly difficult for us to focus. We are used to multitasking and having a constant flow of short information coming at us. Reading books helps you practice and maintain your ability to focus.

READING BOOSTS SELF-ESTEEM

The more you read, the more knowledgeable you become. This knowledge brings confidence, which builds into self esteem as people begin to look to you for advice and answers.

READING GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DISCUSS

You’ll never run out of things to talk about with new or old acquaintances because you always can revert to something you read recently or are reading. I love it when people ask me what they should read or share with me a title they think I’ll enjoy.

READING IMPROVES CREATIVITY

Reading exposes you to new ideas, information and ways of thinking. This helps spur creativity and develop your creative thinking.

READING DECREASES BOREDOM

What some people see as boring downtime I view as exciting quiet time to pick up the book I’m reading. I never worry about being bored because I always can read.

READING MAY HELP YOU MAKE MORE MONEY

Reading in your discipline helps you increase your expertise and become more specialized. This can help prepare you for new jobs or advances in your existing field.

Overall, reading is an enjoyable hobby that results in many intangible health benefits and positive tangible life outcomes. Perhaps the most important benefit of reading is that it makes you a life-long learner.

DO YOU ENJOY READING? WHY OR WHY NOT? IF SO, DO YOU HAVE A DAILY READING ROUTINE? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

MAY 29, 2013 BY KENNA GRIFFIN