Recently, I came across a video in which a surveyor roaming on the streets of US asked respondents to recall the name of any book they had read. You may think it’s an easy task, isn’t it? Not really. Not a single respondent could recall the name of a book they had read in the recent past!
I was surprised to see this. American citizens – all dressed up, looking smart, but unable to name any books? I was quite disappointed with their responses. I also had a hunch that if someone were to replicate this in any other city across the world, the result wouldn’t be much different.
The question here is not about where this event transpired. The ultimate fact is that we, as readers, are becoming a minority. People are reading less and less with each passing day. There can be many reasons why reading a book has lost its popularity among the masses, but restoring this habit is essential even in the age of digital revolution.
Reading is now increasingly being considered as a waste of the time. However, it is relevant today especially to the children of our times. This is why reading will always be relevant:
Reading Makes Us Happier And Wiser
Have you ever been in a casual conversation with book lovers?
They will always swear by the books they read. They will say that books keep them engaged, challenge them, tantalize their senses, and leave them wanting for more. All of this is only possible when you read a book.
Reading gives us a sense of purpose and fills our hearts with joy.
Books: A Man’s Best Friends
My grandfather used to repeat this several times a day, and I am sure you are also familiar with this phrase. It is not without reason that books are our best friends. They keep us afloat even in dire situations.
Books have recorded what the wise men of the world saw, heard, thought and discovered in their lifetimes.
Reading a book is not only a source of information and entertainment, but it also provides an avenue of retreat when life is unrelenting and hard.
In simple words, reading can help us escape from a mundane reality. It’s much more visceral than watching television or being engrossed on a mobile phone.
Reading Develops Our Mental Resources
Now, what are mental resources? They are the assets that our mind uses to enrich our lives. This may sound serious, but in fact, it is an automatic process in which our mind doesn’t sweat it out.
When we read something, it automatically gets fitted into the cognitive part of our mind. Further, according to the capacity of a mind, the knowledge acquired is used for our benefit.
Reading enhances the understanding of the rules of life. In short, a well-read person can change, adapt and fit into the society better.
Boosts Creativity and Imagination
The world is more than what we see.
A linear approach of practicality can’t always help us look beyond the obvious. And life is often stressful at its best. Creativity and imagination give us an alternative perspective to see our lives in a different light.
Reading enhances our creativity and shapes our imagination in a way no other can. Besides, it also helps reduce tension. A leisurely reading can refresh our mind.
Improves Communication Skills and Helps Us Focus
In today’s world, our communication skills and confident personality can help us succeed in anything we choose to pursue. The habit of consistent reading has always been an important aspect of improving our communication skills. It enriches our language skills by exposing us to words and phrases that we may not use in our everyday lives.
Reading also increases our attention span, especially in the age of quick technological solutions. It helps us focus better and for a longer period of time. It is the best medicine to cure a poor attention span.
Reading Also Has A Therapeutic Effect
Reading reduces stress, maintains the heart rate and lessens tension in our muscles. Apart from these benefits, it also keeps our memory sharp and learning capacity agile.
The relevance of reading is not limited to learning and education, but beyond as well.
So, with reading, we can accumulate a lot of knowledge and wisdom which can never be taken away from us. Reading encourages our curiosity which helps us to learn more about our surroundings. This indeed helps us in tackling the problems at hand in an effective manner. Ultimately, reading of any kind helps us develop a good image of ourselves and makes us a confident person.
Better start reading now!