Challenge (Week 9): Read for 45 minutes per day outside work hours. Baseline Goal: 4 of 7 Days.
Reading is a highly important activity with numerous benefits, but According to a 2018 Pew Research study, 24 percent of American adults had not read a book (in full or in part) in the last year.
Why We Stop Reading
Many of us were voracious readers when we were children, but may have gotten out of the habit. Here are some possible reasons why you may read less than you used to.
Reading for work – As we grow out of childhood, reading becomes more associated with labor than leisure. Reading a book can be fun, but being forced to read a book so that you can write a book report about it is considerably less fun. If you read legal and business documents all day at work, you might be less inclined to read for fun when you get home.
Not enough leisure time – Many people pack their schedules with work, side hustles, and social events (not to mention all the added time commitments that come with having children). Reading simply isn’t a priority for most people.
Streaming TV and social media – On-demand streaming and endless amounts of content are available at all hours from our phones, tablets, TVs, and PCs. Watching a video or scrolling through social media is often a passive task, where picking up and engaging with a book is a much more active task that is not as easily accessible and instantly gratifying.
The Benefits of Reading
The benefits of reading are many, but here are a handful of important ones.
Increases empathy – When you read works of fiction, you explore the lives, thoughts, feelings, and motivations of other people. Even though these people aren’t real, if you’re able to connect with them, you’ll be able to better understand the beliefs and feelings of other people. This allows you to feel more empathy to others.
Builds vocabulary – Reading books can help you learn new words, or reacquaint yourself with words you rarely see. If you use an e-reader (such as Kindle or Nook) you can highlight a word you don’t know and see the definition as you’re reading.
Boosts brain power – MRI scans have shown that during reading (and for days afterward) your brain connectivity increases. Reading can also help prevent age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Learn something new – You can read for fun, or you can read to learn something. The possibilities for acquiring new knowledge are endless, from how to create electronic music to learning the history of The Peloponnesian War.
Reduces stress & helps you sleep – Reading works of fiction can help you reduce stress as you forget about your worries and to-do list, and instead get sucked into the author’s imagination. Reading before bed can help you leave your worries behind and get you in an optimal state for sleep. Just avoid reading on tablets and e-readers before bed, as the light they emit could keep you awake longer.
Tips to Read More
Leave room in your schedule – Many people have overbooked schedules, but it’s important to leave yourself some space to kick back and unwind. So in your free time, rather than mindlessly watching TV or using your phone, try cracking open a book instead.
Learn to read for pleasure again – Find a good fiction book you’re interested in. You don’t need to learn anything, just be sucked into the author’s world of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, mystery, suspense, or romance.
Always have a book handy – Having an e-reader can be a convenient way to always have a book on hand. Or simply slip a book in your bag or purse, and you can whip it out in a spare moment instead of checking your phone.
Make your reading relaxing – Reduce as much friction as possible between you and reading. Put the most comfortable chair in your house near your bookshelf. Get a tasty drink to sip on while you read. You could even use as a massage chair or foot massager to make your reading session extra relaxing.
Consider an Audio Book – An audiobook can have some of the same effects and pleasure as reading a physical book. You can listen as you drive or exercise and learn as you do the other task. It can also be an attractive way to reintroduce yourself to novels if you haven’t read anything in some time.
