Last Updated on December 9, 2020 by Nadim Alamuddin
When was the last time you read something substantial, like an article of more than 2000 words, or a book? When was the last time you walked into a public library (what’s that?), picked out a book, and started reading? In today’s internet and social media world, people are reading less and less, unless it is limited to tweets, short blogs, or headlines. This is why I thought it important to highlight the top 5 reasons people should read daily, no matter what they read.
Table of Contents
#1: Reading Every Day Benefits Your Brain
One of the key benefits of reading daily is to keep your mind sharp. Studies have shown a decrease in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease for people who stimulate their brain regularly with reading or puzzles, compared to those that don’t. Reading does to the brain what exercise does to the body. Think of reading as brain food: we’re constantly feeding the brain with new ideas, experiences, stories.
As a blogger, one of the top 5 reasons you should read daily is to expand your expertise in your niche. This gives you new blog post ideas and different perspectives on blogging styles. It can teach you how other bloggers are marketing their blogs or products, enriching your success within your niche.
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#2: Reading Daily Increases Your Vocabulary
One of the key reasons that people should read daily is to increase one’s vocabulary. As you increase your vocabulary, you find that you become more versatile at oral or written communications. We are lucky nowadays that when we’re reading online, we have online dictionaries to refer to. When you’re reading a paperback, however, it’s always advisable to keep a dictionary handy to look up unfamiliar words to expand your vocabulary.
As a blogger, increasing your vocabulary improves your writing skills, as you’re able to convey your blog post in different ways. A word of caution though: just because you’re enriching your vocabulary doesn’t mean you should use difficult words while blogging. Always blog with the reader in mind. You need your readers to be able to understand what you’re writing, not frustrate them by using complicated words.
#3: Reading Daily Increases Your Knowledge
Many fiction books take you on journeys around the world, the author often describing a city you’ve never been to. From these experiences, you gain general knowledge, which helps you become more interesting in social circles, as you’re able to have conversation on a variety of topics.
As you read non-fiction books, you accumulate knowledge in specific topics that you can further discuss. You may even decide to concentrate on a specific topic and become an expert at it, so you can blog on it and monetize it.
#4: Reading Daily Improves Your Memory
When you read books, there are a variety of characters that are described in the novel, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Some books start a chapter with a story that’s completely unrelated to the events of the next chapter, only for the characters to meet up at some point later in the book. As you read, you need to keep all these characters and events in check, which vastly improves your memory.
As a blogger, improving your memory helps you in keeping a mental journal of all your ideas for blog posts. Although I read daily, I still struggle to remember every blog post idea that I’ve thought of. I have written many ideas on my notepad, thankfully, whenever I’m at home or at work. However, I have most of my ideas whenever I’m outside, usually, relaxing at the beach or at the movies. Maybe I should read more often and for longer periods.
#5: Reading Reduces Your Stress
Reading a book lets you unwind. It takes your mind off your work stress and lets you relax, as it easily distracts you and lets you immerse into the story you’re reading. It can bring you great inner peace and tranquility, which is why I enjoy reading mostly before going to bed.
Certain books, such as spiritual texts, can even lower your blood pressure, while personal development books can help you improve your self-esteem and stay positive no matter what negative distractions are coming your way.
Related reading: Reduce Your Stress, Be Happier By Practicing “Gratitude”
You Just Read The Headings, Right?
Gotcha! Alas, this is the new age, where most of us are just not concentrating any more. And because of this, I ask you to do yourself a favor and consciously make the effort of focusing more on the article you’re reading. As you have seen just by reading the headings, there are many benefits people should read daily.
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Have you experienced other benefits of reading, that I haven’t mentioned here? If so, please leave me a comment at the bottom of this post, as it will serve to help our readers. If you liked this post, please share it to your network on social media.
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Interesting….
The word of caution under point #2 is essential: some bloggers use such complex vocabulary it takes the pleasure out of reading….
Thank you for your inputs, Frida. The whole point of writing is to capture your audience rather than frustrate them. Regardless of the topic written, the objective is to drive value to the reader.
You may want to say that reading may be addictive like it is for me: if I am to finish the novel I am reading , I have to have another book waiting for me to read, otherwise I become fidgety and need absolutely to ensure I have new reading materials available! So I make it a point to always have a stack of new books waiting to be read.
Hi Nada,
It’s an interesting point. Of course, reading novels is a pleasure and can be addictive. It’s a pity that less people are enjoying this type of reading as the years pass by. We should definitely invest the time to read and immerse ourselves in novels. This post corroborates the benefits one can derive from reading. Thanks for sharing!
I admit. I only read the headlines at first. Thanks for this, Nadim. Excellent post!
Thanks Chris, means a lot from a fellow blogger! Hope the above reasons helped you see some benefits of immersing yourself in what you read.
I am an avid reader, often reading two books at once. When I find that a book is difficult to read or too serious (which can be frustrating), I pick up and read a lighter novel.
Reading provides us opportunities that we often ignore, which may otherwise affect our behaviors in life. Reading brings us peace; it gives us balance in our daily life which in turn provides us with a great feeling of mental rest.
Hi Hoda,
Thank you for reading my post and for your words of wisdom. I am completely aligned with your thoughts. I used to read a lot more than I do today. But your thoughts have motivated me to immerse myself in a novel. I want to find the peace you’re referring to.
no 2 and no 3 is true. Reading daily help us to increase our vocubullary and gain new information or knowledge. It help also our brain to become familiar with new vocubullary. Thanks for sharing this post. 🙂
It’s so true. And, now that everything is digital, we have digital dictionaries at our fingertips to enhance our vocabulary. Although, I must admit, some of us prefer staying with paperbacks or hard cover books. And for that, we would have to carry the big dictionary with it :).
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Joanathx!
Excellent read! I must admit that I am sometimes guilty of starting but not finishing a book. Maybe I should stick to short stories? I look forward to your thoughts on whether reading via a traditional physical book or via an electronic medium makes any difference?
Hey Diren,
Thanks for your comments! To answer your question, I think it’s a matter of personal choice. Of course, before e-books, I used to read paperbacks (preferred them to hard covers). When e-books started becoming popular, I bought a Sony Reader, which was amazing to read books on. It didn’t last, as my Dad fancied it, so I left it with him and went on to read on a mini iPad. My gaming addiction became a priority on the iPad so I stopped reading! So, now, I’m back to reading paperbacks and enjoying them.
From a practical perspective, you can read paperbacks in most places. E-book readers get hot if you read at the beach and a lot are not properly backlit, so you won’t enjoy reading outside. Yet, e-book readers save space, especially if you travel often…
On your first comment, Diren, I wonder whether you’re picking the right book to read. If you’re not totally immersed in the story, chances are you won’t finish it!
Hope this helps!
Thanks for taking the time to respond, Nadim.
I will definitely take your advice based on your experiences.
I’m also looking forward to further interesting articles!
It’s my pleasure, Diren. Enjoy your reading!