What is reading for you?

For me, reading is a big gift. You can open a book again and again and it gives you someplace to go when you have to stay where you are.

I love books because I love the moment when you open one and sink into it, you can escape from the world, into a wonderful story. Wherever I am, if I’ve got a book I have a place I can go and just be happy. Like the place I found one day at the Enjo Nature Farm. The place is a quite and calm place, hidden behind old walls, in a a relative comfortable surrounding and without interruption. There are books waiting for you to spend time and to lose yourself.

I’ve found out that no matter what I read, the act of reading every day has helped me in nearly every aspect of my life. Here are a few of my favorite reasons why reading has improved my quality of life, and will definitely improve yours too.

So check it out:

1.) Enhanced Smarts

Some studies turn out that reading helps in almost every area of smarts. They found out that reading, in general, makes you smarter, and it keeps you sharp as you age.

2.) Reading reduces stress

When I’m reading a book, my mind shifts gears. Where I might have had a stressful day, a book can easily distract me. Fiction is fantastic for this. Reading an awesome fiction book is perfect right before bed time. Though sometimes it’s hard to put the book down if it’s really good. But still, you’ll be relaxed 

3.) Greater tranquility

Reading can soothe like no other. Given that I’m sometime a pretty nervous person, reading forces me to sit and be still. This daily act of making myself be quiet and still has been nothing short of miraculous for my anxiety and my “fidgety me”.

4.) Improved analytical thinking

That’s right, ladies and gents. Studies have found that analytical thinking is boosted by reading. Readers improve their general knowledge, and more importantly are able to spot patterns quicker. If you can spot patterns quicker, your analytical skills receive a boost.

5.) Increased vocabulary

It’s no secret that reading increases your vocabulary and improves your spelling, but did you know that reading increases your vocabulary more than talking or direct teaching? Reading forces us to look at words that we might not have seen or heard recently at the normal life.

6.) Improved memory

I have an awful memory. Just ask my husband. Sometimes I can’t remember where I left my phone or if I turned off the iron, let alone things like names and address. Yet I’ve been finding that I can remember stuff much easier when I’ve been reading consistently. Do I have any scientific data to match this up? Not really. But I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet that reading has somehow given me more memory space.

7.) Improved writing skills

This isn’t much of a stretch, considering that reading improves vocabulary and critical thinking. I feel like a better writer, as I’m constantly surrounding myself with works from people who are better than me. That’s why german classes in school make you read “the classics”. That’s why art students learn to copy masterpieces, so they know what creating something incredible should feel like.

The more you read, the better of a writer you’ll become.

8. Helps prioritize goals

Many times we’re certain we know what we “really want” in life. Yet I’ve found that activities like reading show me things I didn’t know about myself. My mind will drift to things that I’d really like to do, and it isn’t long that these little lapses in reading start to cycle. The same sort of goals keep popping into my head, allowing me to see what I really want to do.

When you remove yourself from your work environment, you’ll start to see things that you might really want to do, that you’re not doing yet. Reading gives you a chance for your mind to wander.

No time to read?

If you think that you don’t have enough time to start reading, you’re wrong. How do I know? Because we make time for the things that are important to us. How much TV do you watch? How much time do you spend trawling the web? You could easily replace reading with those activities or at least spend less time with these activities and try to read more.

There’s really no excuse to start reading on a regular basis. The benefits far outweigh the costs, and more knowledge never hurt anybody.

So Are you ready to start reading? I can only urge you to give it a try!   

Love,

Katy

Pics by Daniell Bohnhof Photography

Styling by Look2:ocean