By Kate Leo
After a long day of going to class, studying, planning my schedule for the upcoming week, meeting for group projects, and fitting in social time, all I want to do is curl up in my bed to watch my favorite show on Netflix. Especially when getting back to college, watching tv at night, even for a couple of minutes, was my guilty pleasure. It was a time for me to just relax and be with myself. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I decided to pick up the book I had never finished from summer. I absolutely love reading, but I often convince myself that I only have time during breaks to really enjoy a book, or that I have too much required reading to want to read anything else at the end of the day. However, it only took me one time to sit down and pick up where I left off from summer to become completely attached to my book. I now look forward to reading even more than I ever did watching Netflix.
We all know how important it is to read as kids when our brain is developing and we are learning new words, skills, and concepts continuously. But as I researched a little, I realized how important and beneficial reading can be for adults too. The first reason that reading is beneficial is that it increases brainpower. Reading is a “workout” for your brain, which ultimately helps decrease the chances of memory loss and possibly the onset of Alzheimer’s. Just like doing puzzles or solving problems, the brain is actively engaged to understand what you are reading and the context of it. Reading also makes you more empathetic. This is not surprising, as we become immersed in the stories and are dedicated to following the character’s paths throughout their journey. This benefit especially applies to fiction novels. Finally, reading is calming. You truly can be in another world when reading a book and forget everything that is going on around you. Because of this relaxation when you read, it is also a good way to put you to sleep. However, only physical texts can do this as the light from screens prove that they prevent a good night’s rest.
There are endless options for books, and any category will give you the benefits above. I have found that reading makes me feel more productive and ready to do work after I have used my study break to read. When I stare at a screen, I often am more tired than when I started. Reading is a hobby, and I want to make sure I prioritize reading for fun instead of saving it for only specific times during the year.
Sources: https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/benefits-of-reading-real-books
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