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Books have been an essential part of our lives since we entered this world. Most of us have memories of story time with Mom or Dad. Stories would transport us to other worlds and made us realize that anything is possible within those delicate pages. Unlike the fairy tale hero Peter Pan, somewhere along the way, we grew up. We find ourselves caught up in the daily grind of life, and we cast aside the things we deemed childish. Many people deem reading unnecessary as they grow older, but in all actuality, reading is as important in adulthood as it was for your development as a child. There are many reasons that you should keep your nose in that book.
Mental Health
Reading is one of the best things you can do for your brain, which is like any other muscle in your body in that it requires exercise to stay strong and healthy. One of the benefits of this type of brain exercise is the prevention (or even the slowing of the progress) of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Reading can also be a way to escape from the things in your life that are causing you extra stress. Reducing any added stress in your life is not only good for your brain, but it is good for your heart and overall health. As it once did for you as a child, reading as an adult can help you escape to other lands or move you to feel something you never did before.
Increased Knowledge
To put it simply, the more you read, the greater your vocabulary and knowledge will be. A large bank of words and information can help you tackle the daily challenges in your life. You might find that information in the books you read can be helpful in your career, which in turn, can possibly lead to job promotions and give your self-esteem a boost. Being well-read and articulate can only lead to positive things in your day-to-day life.
Finding the time
The one thing that we all struggle with in our lives in time management. Our lives are getting increasingly busier, and we might find it hard (or impossible) to carve out time in our day for a little reading. One simple way that we can make sure to read is to schedule a time for it. If you are like most people, you have a planner that you cannot live without. By simply penciling in some time in your day to read, you might find yourself actually getting in some daily brain exercise.
Another way you can squeeze in some reading is to always carry a book with you. If you have the book as a constant reminder of what you would like to to do, you might find yourself investing any bit of free time you have into it.
The Nook
Sometimes we find reading hard to do because of the distractions around us. Weather it be the television, our phones, or simply the others that live in our homes. One way you can remove yourself from all the bustle of the home is to create a reading nook. The nook should be a spot in an area of your home that you find relaxing and where you can concentrate on the story. Your nook should have a comfortable seat, which can be anything from a couch to an over-sized chair. Along with this comfy seat, you will need plenty of light. Either natural or artificial light are fine as long as it’s warm, inviting, and does not cause strain on your eyes.
If you put some decorative touches on your nook, you can make it special and increase the likelihood that you’ll spend more time there.
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