Building a Reading Habit #6: Why Read?

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Why read instead of watching a movie or surfing the internet? Here are a few good reasons:

1. When you read something rather than just doom-scrolling on the internet, especially when you finish a book you really enjoy, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
2. It’s good for your brain. Research points to increased resting-state connectivity of the brain that persist for days after reading.
3. Reading effectively reduces stress.
4. Knowledge. Obviously, you can gain knowledge from reading non-fiction, but you can learn a lot reading fiction as well. Reading gives you access to the unfiltered thoughts of the greatest minds throughout history.
5. Vocabulary. Look up those words you don’t recognize!
6. Rebuild your ability to concentrate! In this digital world, there are so many fast-moving distractions. Reading can help you re-learn how to slow down, concentrate and enjoy something!
7. Empathy. Reading fiction, by putting you into the mind of a character, can improve you empathy in real life.
8. Entertainment! There are a lot more books than there are movies and TV shows!
9. There is some evidence that reading may help prevent cognitive decline.
10. Feel smart! Let’s face it, when someone mentions a book it feels really good to say “Oh, I’ve read that!”