Be it the earthy sweet scent of old books, or the fresh new smell of the new, the allure of books is embedded deeply within me. The peaceful feeling of lying back with a good book and hearing the soft rustle of turning a page is always a treat. But beyond the sensual pleasures books hold they have many other benefits that can really make a difference to our lives and our growth.
1. First and foremost, we can deepen our knowledge and expertise in any area by reading. There are so many countless books, on every subject, from music to science, to tidying up to finance. There is pretty much a book on every topic. By learning from other people's experiences and knowledge we grow, learn faster and can learn from mistakes of others, so we don't have to make the same mistakes they did. 'Leaders are readers' and most people at the top of their field didn't get to where they were by avoiding books. They delved in deeply and learnt as much as they could.
2. Books provide us with inspiration. They can help us imagine different possibilities. By reading of other people's accomplishments we can learn from people's stories and feel inspired to go for our own dreams. By reading of different worlds we can gain feelings of escapism, without any negative impacts. The creative expression of other people's work can often help our own creative expression. We can think of new ideas because of an idea of someone else's. We can use their ideas as springboards, bounce off of them and land on something completely brand new. They give us a space to imagine, which allows us to get more creative. This can help us throughout our lives to see solutions that we may not have otherwise thought of.
3. Most importantly, books can empower us to empathise more with other people. As we get to know characters thoughts, feelings and motives, it can help us understand other people in a much deeper way. They can make us feel more sympathetic to different people's lives and views. And the more empathy we feel, the kinder we will be, which will in turn make our world a better place.
4. They can help us with sleep readiness. If we read fantasy or non-fiction books before we go to sleep we can drift off more easily because it can help us feel we are drifting away from our own lives. Save the non-fiction books for the day as learning late at night can be more of a stimulator than a sedative. A great time to read non-fiction is with breakfast because it can help start your day off in an empowering way and it make your mind feel fresher.
5. Most amazingly is that books can even help prevent the cognitive decline as you age and help contribute to a longer life. There are a few studies on this, including a large study conducted by, 'the Yale University School of Public Health'. They found that people who read books, for at least 30 minutes a day lived, on average, lived nearly two years longer than non-readers.
So now you know how good reading is, try to find a way to incorporate it into your own life. Maybe you want to pair it with mealtimes, or with bedtime, or perhaps with your everyday commute. Personally, I think that solid books are the best because I love the feeling of them, but if you are short on time, or don't want to lug a heavy book around, than kindles or kindle apps can be a really great alternative. Also if you really don't feel like reading but would like some of the aforementioned benefits than maybe try an audible book.
If you want a good book recommendation I highly recommend my sister's blog, 'The Orangutan Librarian' which is well worth a visit. She has always supplied me with the best books and is always helping further my love for reading, for which I will always be grateful.
I hope you are able to find more time for reading in your life and always find great books.
Much Love
Naomi Leila Xx
#reading #learn #self-development #HarryTrumann #The Orangutan Librarian
