By Sumaiyya Naseem
Reading is probably one of best habits a person can have. Here are a list of reasons why we book nerds love reading!
1. Improves Language Skills
That’s right! The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows! Reading helps both our written and spoken languages. Tip: if you want to improve your speaking skills, read out loud.
2. Helps You Accept People For Who They Are
Reading will show you that there are all kinds of people in the world and that everyone has a reason for the way they are. It will show you that even though we come from different cultures, we feel the same way, have the same emotions and want the same things in life. Reading is the best way to promote world peace!
3. Makes You An Intellectual
Reading will help you gain more knowledge and develop a better understanding of the world we live in. It will also force you to think about life, people, nature and the universe. Those are just a few things; reading encompasses a whole lot more. By reading, you will learn about things that were never discussed in class. You will have more to talk about and, if you’re an extrovert, you will enjoy your conversations even more because you’ll have something to share.
4. Reduces Stress
By reading, you will immerse yourself in a whole other world and forget about your worries and the stresses that are taking over your mind. You don’t have to read a lengthy novel to feel better, just read interesting articles online! Or read the Qur’an and feel spiritual.
5. Improves Your Memory
A book exposes you to a world that you really, literally, have no idea about. Sure it resembles life, but those characters, their backgrounds, their emotions, feelings, thoughts and dialogues – everything including the setting of the story itself are details which you will have to remember during the course of reading that book. This will make your memory stronger.
6. Develops Your Analytical Skills
Books make you think about a variety of subjects. When we read a book, we think about the different dimensions of the story and really try to analyse what is happening and what might happen. We also try to figure what drives characters to do the things they do. Tip: Take notes while reading and also think critically about the book, characters and circumstances.
7. Makes You A Better Writer
Not only does reading expand your vocabulary, it also improves the way you use words. People who are writers are definitely readers (and not in very rare cases). By reading, you learn about plots and character development, and you can implement this knowledge in your own writing. Reading also exposes you to different styles of writing and you may end up discovering your own style!
8. Helps Set Goals
You don’t believe me? It’s true! The more you read, the more you’ll figure out yourself. You will discover what you want in life because you will witness characters making decisions or doing things. Reading will make you think about your own priorities.
9. Makes You A Better Human
The more you read, the more you will develop your sense of empathy. You will begin to understand people, their lives, their pains and their happiness. Reading makes us better humans because we witness hundreds of characters going through some of the worst and best times of their lives.
10. Gives You A Better Imagination
This is my favorite thing about reading. It helps me imagine so much more. When we watch movies, we are fed all the information, the visuals, the dialogues, the setting, everything! When we read, we engage our minds and ourselves. We really think about what we’re reading, we imagine the scenarios, we create a picture of what the words are describing in our mind and we learn to turn words into pictures.
These are all amazing benefits of reading, but you can only achieve them if you read with an open eye, a generous heart and a welcoming mind. Take the time to read – because we give time to what we find important.
