11 reasons why reading books make it to the list of habits for staying active

The one way to escape reality around you without locking your eyes on the screen is to read books. The one way to give yourself a nice break from life and trance into a land of imagination instantly is to read books. The one way to wear the lens of a creative writer and peek into their own created world is to read books. 

Reading a book is one of the most mentally stimulating activities to engage in during your free time. In fact, folks who love reading will always reserve a special place in the corner of their house just for their prized paper possessions. Be it a long flight or a long layover, books are the coolest companion to tag along with. 

As much as an active lifestyle is about keeping the body healthy, it is the same about keeping the mind healthy too. We dug how reading books can help in keeping the mind healthy and found some reasons. Here are 10 of those:

Reading could be ‘the excuse’ to put the phone away before going to bed.

Reading a book before bedtime can serve as a great rescue from the day-long screen engagement, both for the eyes and the mind. We are guilty as charged for being glued to our smartphones. According to studies, people who use their smartphones late at night have a harder time falling asleep and their sleep quality suffers as a result. Reading books, on the other hand, is said to have soothing properties, making it an excellent bedtime hobby, according to some experts.

Reading is an excellent way to improve communication and writing skills.

Reading helps to make your vocabulary better, which has a direct impact on how effectively you’re able to communicate and express yourself. As you read, you get exposed to a wealth of words that will help you describe how you’re feeling, help you explain a point clearly, and so much more. Be it written or verbal expression, reading helps either way.

Reading quite literally is an exercise for your brain.

Since the human brain is a muscle, it means it has to be used often in order to stay sharp. Research has its and is even shown that mental stimulation, like reading, can lead the brain to have its own workout.

Reading gives a new way to life as well as a different perspective to it.

Reading is one approach to expose yourself to new ideas, new ways of thinking, new knowledge, new information, new ways of dealing with problems, and new ways of solving them. Reading allows you to see things from a fresh perspective, allowing you to recognize and comprehend the world and yourself in new ways. Reading can help you discover your passions and encourage you to try new things, which can lead to a future profession and success. It expands your mind and helps you accept changes in your life while also educating you on the various good elements of life.

Reading makes you more diligent towards achieving goals.

Reading a true story about someone who overcame adversity and went on to achieve great things in life can motivate you to take the next step toward your goal. You've wanted to do something to realize your dream for a long time, but you're afraid of failing; however, books can help you overcome that fear and move closer to your goals and dreams, as well as teach you that failure is not a disappointment or stress; rather, it's an experience from which you can never fail if you learn from it. And having this knowledge should help you progress in life, allowing you to try more cautiously this time. Reading can help you create a more upbeat attitude and expose you to the real world, where nothing is impossible.

You can get stronger analytical thinking skills by reading

Have you ever read a fantastic mystery novel and solved the mystery before you finished it? If yes, you were able to use critical and analytical thinking to identify "what really happened" by taking notice of all the data presented and sorting them out!

When it comes to critiquing the plot, the same capacity to examine minutiae comes in handy; determining whether it was a well-written piece, if the characters were appropriately developed, if the storyline flowed smoothly, and so on. If you ever get the chance to talk about the book with others, you'll be able to express yourself effectively since you've taken the time to think about all of the factors involved.

Reading is a great way to expand general knowledge.

You must be a reader if you want to be a well-rounded human being capable of holding a discourse on a number of issues. And your reading material doesn't have to be on a serious subject in order for you to pick up some useful pieces of information. But just thirst and the willingness to know more.

Reading is a contagious habit, spreads around.

It's comforting to know that your passion for reading will have far-reaching implications, especially if you have children. When you see other people reading, you're more likely to do so as well. You can take advantage of this fact by reading aloud to your children at home on a regular basis. According to research, reading aloud to children during their early school years encourages them to become frequent readers as adults. As a result, they're more inclined to encourage your children to read. If your kids see you spending time reading, they are highly likely to do it themselves.

Reading helps boosts sleep.

Reading can assist you in falling asleep deeply and peacefully since it allows you to relax and de-stress. That may sound too nice to be true, yet reading can actually assist you in sleeping. Choosing a good book and curling up after dark is a wonderful way to unwind. Take a deep breath if your day is hectic. You can help yourself relax and wind down before falling asleep by setting aside particular times for reading shortly before bedtime. It's up to you what kind of literature you read, but the fact that you're reading is what matters. Reading before bed relaxes both your body and mind, which is especially beneficial after a long and stressful day. Even if you only read for a few minutes—a chapter or two—the tranquility that reading causes can help you fall asleep quickly and soundly.

An all-age stay at home entertainment activity.

Reading is for everyone. Yes, of course, certain books are for certain ages, but as an activity, it is for everybody to enjoy and benefit from. Especially, when there is restriction forced down on us because of the pandemic, reading can be very entertaining, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your living room. Moreover, reading together, loud and clear can be a great family bonding time too.

More intellectual discussions take place as a result of reading.

Like discussing any other piece of literature, talking about books opens up so many different perspectives. Ask any avid reader about a book that they recently read, they will have so many interesting thoughts to share. We did the same. We asked a bunch of book lovers which book was their best pick during the lockdown and why, this is what they had to say.  

The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh

I got a very nice perspective about the situation in ancient Myanmar. This prompted me to read more about Myanmar and get abreast with the current politics over there

Godfather by Maria Puzo

Godfather is like a cult novel that teaches you life lessons on how to deal with difficult situations

Magic by Daniel Steel

Love is a tricky business. It can make you rise and fall, even surprise. There is no age capping when it comes to love. Sometimes the love that knocks at our door is so unconditional that it becomes difficult to believe that it is true. The best thing about this book is that a woman ruined a man’s life after forgiving him multiple times for adultery, just by not loving him anymore. 

Kane and Able by Jeffrey Archer

The novel follows the lives of 2 men who were born in very different circumstances and the path they follow in their lives. The plot is superb and keeps you engaged throughout. Can't wait to read the sequel, The Prodigal Daughter.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This is one book that I loved. It helped me in creating good new habits and breaking bad old habits very efficiently.

Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari

Loved everything about it. The flow, the narration. The way it was kept borderline fiction with factual back-ups. How it covered multiple perspectives is just amazing. 

Ramayana by Valmiki

The explanation of each emotion in this book is beautifully written. It led me to know and bust myths surrounding the oldest epic in the world.

Immortal talks by Shunya

This is an autobiography of a yogi. This one is a spiritual book. It helped me to see things in a different perspective and gave a different approach to day to day situations

Secret Journey to Planet Serpo by Len Kasten

I have read a few pages of this book. It's a supposedly fictional book about interplanetary travel

But I am yet to finish it. Since I have some interest in this area, and the author says it's real, that pulled me towards it. The reason that it was intriguing is that it gives a very detailed account of how everything was organized, how many earthly beings went on the trip with aliens. 

Keigo Higashino Novels

This one is for the wolf pack of thriller lovers. I liked it because the author writes amazing crime thrillers where till the last chapter you can't predict who is the culprit. Keeps you on the edge at all times.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

This one is a must-read owed to its mind-numbing plot twist at the end.

Concluding with one of the most popular quotes on reading in the words of Joseph Addison - Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated: by the other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed.