How Reading Improves Our Mental Fitness

I've met a lot of people who are skeptical about the importance of reading and the enormous impact it has on human physical and mental growth. One thing is to read anything, and another is to know what to choose and read.

Despite current debates about which books should be on classroom and library shelves, there is little doubt that literature broadens the intellect. But, does reading boost our mental health and well-being?

For good reason, physical fitness receives a lot of attention. A healthy body can help you avoid problems like heart disease and diabetes, as well as maintain your independence as you age.

Mental health is equally vital to physical fitness and should not be overlooked. Incorporating mental dexterity exercises into your daily routine can provide you with the benefits of a sharper mind and a healthier body for many years to come. How then does reading affect our mental fitness and well-being?

It Improves Social Ability

Reading fiction, in particular, may help to promote increased empathy and social cognition during a time of severe isolation and disconnection induced by the pandemic.

One seminal study discovered that frequent fiction readers had stronger social competence and that the capability to become engrossed in a story was associated with higher empathy ratings. These findings have been reproduced, and a meta-analysis discovered that lifetime exposure to narrative fiction was related to greater perspective-taking and empathy. Reading such literature gives you a better insight into yourself in comparison to other people.

It Helps You De-Stress:

Reading, according to a study conducted by the University of Sussex, can reduce stress levels by 68 percent. Stress levels and heart rates were measured while participants tried various calming strategies such as listening to music, going for a walk, and drinking tea - but reading was the most effective in helping the brain and body relax. So, the next time you get home from a long, stressful day at work, grab a book and lose yourself in it for a few hours.

It Helps Us Empathize With Others

If you grew up reading a lot, chances are you have some knack for empathizing with others and understanding difficult feelings. Why? The University of Buffalo investigated this concept and discovered that the stories we read, and the characters we relate to and learn from, assist us in understanding diverse ways of living. Empathy is even claimed to be one of the most crucial abilities for parents to educate their children for they to develop a healthy, positive understanding of the world and the people around them. It makes us put ourselves into their lives and experience what they experience.

It Improves Your Intelligence

While it may come as no surprise, reading books, including fiction, helps your brain grow in more ways than one. Novels expose you to new words, expanding your vocabulary. Higher exam scores are associated with a broader vocabulary. So there's no excuse not to be actively reading.

Warren Buffett used to read 600 to 1000 pages of newspapers, corporate reports, and magazines every day when he first started his financial career.

Nonetheless, he reads at least 500 pages per day. Buffett believes that this is the typical way knowledge operates and accumulates, similar to compound interest. Yes, many of you are capable of reading 600-1000 pages every day, but would you do it?

It Makes You a Critical Thinker

While reading, one gradually learns the ability to exercise judgment and not simply accept whatever is provided at face value. It entails deeply interpreting the text, analyzing, evaluating, and finally reflecting on it. Through the application of judgment, discipline, and the gained critical thinking talent, one gradually gains the ability to look at things in a more open-minded manner. This naturally aids in learning about things without the interference of one's personal bias or perspective. Reading habits do, in fact, aid in critical thinking, which is a very beneficial talent.

It should come as no surprise that Bill Gates enjoyed reading. He claims to read 50 novels per year. Alternatively, he roughly reads a book every week. It can therefore be concluded that most of these successful people got to their status as a result of reading.

It Makes Your Mindful Of The Things Around

Mindfulness has long been employed by spiritual practitioners and has recently gained popularity in the medical world for the treatment of mental diseases and general life improvement. Mindfulness involves letting go of any fears or regrets about the future or the past and living totally in the present now. Many people exercise mindfulness through meditation or yoga, but reading has been shown to give the reader a sort of easy mindfulness. Reading helps you to lose yourself in the pages of a wonderful narrative or become engrossed in acquiring fresh knowledge about something that piques your interest. You are anchored in the present moment and free of worrisome thoughts when you are reading something you enjoy.