The Benefits of Reading Every Day

You should read every day. Fact. Reading every day not only benefits your brain, but it also has incredible social advantages for adults and students alike. It’s no secret that we are addicted to our screens. I recently realized that I log almost 8 hours of screen time daily on my phone. Granted, a large chunk of that is for work and family logistics – I manage all my social media on my phone, create video content, communicate with my Fiverr clients… I also have a LOT of groups for my kids’ stuff, and organizing the following day’s schedule and lift clubs takes at least forty minutes a day.

Still… EIGHT HOURS?! I was shook. I journal every morning to develop better habits, so I immediately added “I spend no more than 4 hours per day on my phone” to my daily manifesting (fun fact: my list now has 31 goal-oriented items, which I write out every single morning. Rinse, repeat.)

The good news is that reading is the perfect distraction from the mindless scroll. AND it has benefits way beyond the page.

Reading Stimulates and Exercises the Mind

Cognitive enrichment allows us to challenge ourselves and improve our overall welfare. Reading is learning made fun. Engaging with written content is the equivalent of a mental workout. It improves brain function, comprehension, and vocabulary. Reading daily keeps the mind active, and can slow cognitive decline as we age. In a world ever more obsessed with health, think of reading as mental fitness. And much like one would at the gym, it never hurts to challenge yourself – read above your reading level, read books out of your comfort zone… mix it up to boost your cognitive workout.

Reading Improves Focus and Concentration

The world we live in is lightning-fast-paced. Concentration spans are waning, and procrastination and distraction are becoming more and more commonplace. Every time I sit down to write, I find myself, thirty minutes later, still multi-tasking, doing a dozen other things, with not a single word written. It’s really, really difficult to focus on anything for an extended period. The good news is that daily reading practices sustained concentration. Over time, it can improve your concentration span, which ripples into other areas of your life. It’s a focus exercise, teaching you to be more productive, but it’s enjoyable at the same time. Say it with me: win|win!

Reading Reduces Stress

Life is stressful. We all get it, I won’t bore you with the obvious, but there is a reason that reading is often referred to as ‘escapism’. Immersing yourself in a good book offers a break from the stressors of our daily lives. Studies have shown that reading can lower stress levels, and I can personally attest to that. Nothing gets me out of a mood faster than a good book 🙂 If you’re feeling stressed, reading can provide a well-deserved mental break.

Reading Increases Knowledge

Whether through fiction or non-fiction, books expose us to different ideologies, cultures, and viewpoints. Reading promotes open-mindedness and offers us perspective without us even realizing it. Oh, and PS: reading also improves our general knowledge so we’re going to clean up on quiz night.

Reading Improves Communication Skills

If nothing else, reading will increase your vocabulary, which is especially important for children as they are still using a limited word bank. Consistent reading enhances our writing skills and allows us to express ourselves more effectively. This in turn improves our interactions with others, whether professional or personal.

Reading Increases Imagination

Nothing gets those creative juices quite like a spectacular fictional yarn! Reading stimulates your imagination because, unlike the screen, it requires you to visualize scenes in your head. This in turn encourages creativity. There is no downside here, folks!

Reading is a Discipline

Establishing a daily reading habit requires discipline and routine, and setting aside reading time consistently each day helps to build a habit. This routine also helps develop time management skills.

Reading Fosters Connection and Builds Community

While reading itself is a solitary pastime, I have never met a reader who didn’t love to talk about books. Readers engage in discussion and connect with other readers – be it through book clubs, online groups, or simply with friends. The shared love of reading builds a sense of community and can enrich your reading experience. I run an online book club on Facebook and it’s one of my favorite communities.

Reading is a Pleasure!

Ultimately, the best reason to incorporate daily reading into your life is for pure enjoyment. I feel a million times better after an hour spent reading than I do after an hour on my screens.

Profound benefits aside, reading is the perfect alternative to the mindless scroll!

I’m pleased to report that my screen time is already down 37%, but I need to bring it down further to a 50% reduction. I have stacked my TBR next to my bed and plan to put my phone out of reach as often as possible to avoid that automatic reach for it.

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