6 Reasons why reading is so important

When was the last time you picked up a book just because the book cover caught your eye or the title seemed interesting? You’d be surprised at the numerous benefits reading actually brings, regardless of how old you are now. If you are one of those bookworms who used to love reading but stopped because of the inconvenience of carrying around a book, try the InkCase today! Read on to find out more about the importance of reading!

Reading is important even in adulthood.

1. It increases intelligence.

Just like going for a jog exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good workout. Reading also increases analytical powers as you practise your analysis skills while examining the story. Be it critiquing the plot, writing style, character development or story flow, your mind is much more engaged while reading. As your brain activity increases, so does your intelligence! Furthermore, reading can also help you think out of the box. Scientists at Liverpool University found that poetry stimulates brain activity in the brain area associated with autobiographical memory. The research shows the power of literature to shift mental pathways and to create new thought processes.

2. Reading relieves stress.

Feeling gloomy? Start reading with InkCase to keep the blues away! Reading is great as a mood-lifter. It helps in shedding away all the stress and allows one’s mind to escape into another world for a while. A great story can allow you to lose yourself in it while an engaging article will distract you and keep you in the present moment, letting all that tension drain away.

Research from the University of Sussex has found that reading lowers stress faster than other activities such as walking or listening to music. Participants in the study read for a mere 6 minutes before experiencing decreased heart rates and muscle tension. Furthermore, several studies have also suggested that reading can soothe mood disorders such as depression. PLOS ONE published a study indicating that reading self-help books and undergoing therapy lowered depression more effectively than traditional treatments.

3. Reading gives you a greater understanding of the subject.

This is probably one of the most crucial benefits of reading – it is a great source of knowledge. Merely having limited surface information about a particular subject is a dangerous thing. With such little knowledge, it is easy to operate on false assumption. As such, increasing your understanding will provide you with tools to resolve difficult situations in life and improve your ability to cope with difficult situations.

Whatever you read, it will definitely teach you something. A Nelson Mandela biography, for instance, could motivate you to persevere through difficult times while the Lord of the Rings may jumpstart your creative juices. It also creates awareness of current affairs and their surroundings. For example, newspapers will keep you up to date about current affairs. Equipped with more knowledge, you can then better form your own holistic perspective of the world.

4. Reading can make you more empathetic.

Literary fiction helps readers to understand others’ perspectives as each story shares different people’s emotions and thought process, according to research published in Science. Stories puts you into the shoes of various characters, making it easier for you to relate to others in real life. This will definitely help in improving your relationships and social interactions with others.

5. It may help fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Be proactive in preventing Alzheimer’s by reading more with InkCase! Research has shown that those who engage in intellectual activities such as reading or chess are possibly 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who don’t. The study suggests that brain-stimulating exercises as such activities can lower the levels of a brain protein involved in Alzheimer’s.

Furthermore, people who read books are more likely to have healthy brains in old age, according to research published in the journal, Neurology. The study examined 294 elderly participants and found that those who had taken part in mentally stimulating activities had lower rates of mental decline as they got older. Those who rarely read or performed other stimulating mental activity mentally declined 48 percent faster than average.

6. Reading before bedtime can help you sleep.

Have trouble sleeping at night? Picking up a book may just solve the problem! By reading a book before bedtime every night, your body gets the signal that it’s time to take a break and go to sleep. LCD screens such as smartphones or tablets can actually keep you awake longer and even hurt your sleep. This is particularly so for kids. Fifty-four percent of children sleep near a small screen and thus get 20 fewer minutes of sleep on average. Instead of LCD screens, why not try the InkCase? The InkCase adds a secondary E Ink screen to your phone, allowing you to use your phone as an e-reader as well!

Read anywhere and any time with the InkCase!

(Published on Oaxis, 21 Feb 2017)