The Power of Reading: Discovering the Many Benefits of Book Consumption

Reading any book is a positive trait of being a critical reader as it increases your knowledge and improves your reading skill.

In this blog, I will share my powerful reading experience and the advantages I got from reading in FIVE simple steps.

Why does reading matter?

Just like our body needs a workout to be healthy, our brain also needs a workout and the best exercise for our brain is READING.

There are different kinds of books and reading any type of book will immensely help you.

By this, what I meant to say is that when we read any kind of book whether it is friction, financial, spiritual, horror, or even a comic it gives us an opportunity to see the world through other people’s points of view.

It not only gives us a broad sense of understanding but also increases our imagination power.

When I started reading books, I found it really difficult to navigate through words and author perspectives and I end up listening to book summaries which is again not a bad choice but there is an immense difference between reading and listening, so are there effects in our brain.

The difference I experience between reading a book and listening to an audiobook is MEMORY.

When we read a book it activates more areas of our brain including feeling an emotion that the Author is feeling which makes us more sensitive and connected.

Hence, by reading a book you not only help yourself but also the COMMUNITY you live in because the more you read, the more you see the world in other people’s shoes and in whole the world because more empathic and connected.

Does reading reduce stress?

If this question was asked while I was in school then my answer would be definitely a big NO and I think most of us related to it but what if I told you reading does decrease the stress level than walking or playing a video game?

I know it sounds a little weird but it is the truth.

According to research in 2009 by the University of Sussex, reading reduces stress levels by 68% because while reading a book, our brain is completely focused on one thing which enhances relaxation.

When I first found out about it my reaction was the same as many of you because I used to hate books in school days but after my high school graduation, I started engaging more in friction and self-help books which do provide me relief.

From this experience, I couldn’t agree more with the above statements and eventually reading a book daily becomes a habit for me.

Unlimited sources of knowledge

We all know before all this technology and science, books were the only source of wisdom besides our well-experienced teachers.

In fact, many successful people do admit that they read for at least 30 minutes because learning never stops no matter what age you are or how established you are in your related field.

Most of us already know about Warren Buffett, a highly successful businessman, and investor who is 92 years old as of 2023 spends most of his time reading books and suggests doing the same to others.

In fact, he suggested reading 500 pages per day which may be quite intense to some of us but we surely can read at least 10–50 pages a day.

By doing so we are only increasing our chance to stand out from others because consuming more updated information increases our expertise in related fields which is what we truly need in this ambitious society.

How I got my first job after reading

I have significantly benefited from reading financial and self-help books by improving my financial knowledge as well as transforming myself into a better version.

My all-time favorite book is THINK AND GROW RICH because after reading this book, I ultimately landed my first job as a content writer in which I have zero expertise.

This book demonstrates the power of visualization in aligning thoughts and beliefs with goals, leading to effective action.

My personal experience of using visualization to secure a job in a new field highlights the book’s teachings.

This book offers practical techniques and is an essential resource for anyone seeking to make their dreams a reality.

It may be a coincidence but it does have a different sort of magic on a reader which one may experience after starting to read.

If you are a beginner and want to kick start your journey towards self-improvement by reading then THE POWER OF YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND is a wonderful book to begin with because it not only helps you to improve yourself but also gives you multiples examples of people’s life which you can relate and feel.

In addition, for financial improvement, THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON is a kind of book that everyone should read who is facing a financial crisis including debt.

Reading as a motivation

Elon musk who is best known for making reusable rockets learned to make them from reading books. Isn’t it motivational enough for us to start reading?

While I emphasize on benefits of reading, I am not only talking about reading books but also article, news, or any sort of activity that include reading because while reading different kinds of stuff we may encounter the story of a successful personality or motivational quote.

In fact, I begin my journey to reading books, and articles after I encounter different motivational quotes.

Some of them are;

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies — George R.R. Martin

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body — Joseph Addison

Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary — Jim Rohn

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. — Dr. Seuss

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island. — Walt Disney

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries. — Rene Descartes

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. — Margaret Fuller

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. — Frederick Douglass

Conclusion

Reading has numerous benefits for both the individual and society. Whether it be fiction, non-fiction, articles, or comics, reading provides an opportunity to expand knowledge, imagination, and empathy.

It also serves as a form of relaxation, reducing stress levels and providing an unlimited source of knowledge.

Successful people such as Warren Buffett and Elon Musk attribute their success to reading.

In addition to self-improvement and financial improvement, reading can serve as a source of motivation and inspiration. Start your reading journey today to experience the many benefits for yourself.