Continued from the last issue
- Enhanced Smarts
Wow, this may be the most obvious statement of the post, right? Well, it turns out that reading helps in almost every area of smarts. Those that read have higher GPAs, higher intelligence, and general knowledge than those that don’t. In Anne E. Cunningham’s paper What Reading Does for the Mind (pdf version), she found that reading, in general, makes you smarter, and it keeps you sharp as you age. No matter what you want to do or become, you can’t do it without more knowledge. Reading is an excellent way to get where you want to go. - Reading reduces stress
When I’m reading a book, my mind shifts gears. Where I might have had a stressful day, a book can easily distract me. Fiction is fantastic for this. Reading an awesome fiction book is perfectly right before bed time. Though sometimes it’s hard to put the book down if it’s really good. Still, you’ll be relaxed.
- Greater tranquility
Reading can soothe like no other. Given that I’m a pretty high-energy person, reading forces me to sit and be still. This daily act of making me to be quiet and still has been nothing short of miraculous for my anxiety and my “fidgety factor”. - Improved analytical thinking
That’s right, ladies and gents. Cunningham’s studies have found that analytical thinking is boosted by reading. Readers improve their general knowledge, and more importantly are able to spot patterns quicker. If you can spot patterns quicker, your analytical skills receive a boost.
- Increased vocabulary
It’s no secret that reading increases your vocabulary and improves your spelling, but did you know that reading increases your vocabulary more than talking or direct teaching? Reading forces us to look at words that we might not have seen or heard recently at the pub. In fact, language in children’s books is likely to be more sophisticated than your average conversation. Increased vocabulary is especially crucial for bloggers or writers. All successful writers will tell you that in order to write well, you need to read everyday. You’ll be surprised at the words you start incorporating into your writing. A beefier vocabulary isn’t just for writers though. Knowing what other people are saying and using the perfect words to convey your feelings is a critical part of being a better human. Better listeners are more successful in life. - Improved memory
- I have an awful memory. Just ask my fiancée. I usually can’t remember what I’ve eaten for breakfast, let alone things like names and addresses. Yet I’ve been finding that I can remember stuff much easier when I’ve been reading consistently. Do I have any scientific data to match this up? Not really. But I’d say it’s a pretty safe better that reading has somehow given me memory ‘mojo’.
(To be continued in the next edition)