Reading is one of the most rewarding and enriching activities we can engage in. However, with the constant demands of work, social life, and other responsibilities, finding the time to read can be a challenge. With the average person spending five hours a day on their phone, reading must be a priority.
Mark Twain said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.” This famous Missourian highlights the importance of reading quality literature to gain knowledge and understanding. Reading is also a way to continuously learn and improve oneself.
Regular reading can positively impact our focus, communication skills, memory, and well-being. Reading strengthens the brain and boosts creativity. By experiencing social conventions and character development in novels, an individual develops a deeper emotional intelligence. Improving vocabulary and lower stress levels are two additional benefits of reading.
From street signs to posters and magazines, reading is something we do every day. A recent report from Pew Research Center estimates that 64% of Americans read one book within the last year. Generally, Americans read 16.8 minutes a day, although those over 75 do so for more than twice as long at 40 minutes. Certain countries like India, Thailand, and China leave the entire United States in the dust with daily totals of over an hour.
Many countries have seen a decline in reading popularity as technology takes hold of citizens’ attention. The rise of social media usage and gaming in the U.S. is eroding young people’s interest in reading and many other activities. Reading is considered a key measure of education. The old adage proves true: the more you read, the more you know.
Reading more books is a great goal anyone can benefit from. Audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, articles online, and actual books, whether fiction or non-fiction, can count toward a reading goal. You may want to track minutes or hours. You may chart your progress in a notebook or online. Whatever you choose to read or however you select to record your effort, you are the winner for reading more, learning more, and stressing less!