13 Benefits of Reading

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.”  ~Helen Exley

Reading is obviously useful for day-to-day life. I.e. We need to read in order to . . .

• File our taxes
• Fill out a library card application
• Understand the employee handbook
• Check out the sports stats for our favorite hockey team
• Choose an appropriate birthday card or the correct type of oil for the car, and
• Buy the beans, meat and tortillas we need for dinner.

But reading can bring more than ease to daily living or increase our competency at work.

Below are a 13 reasons I’ve found reading to be beneficial. Reading . . .

1. Helps us develop better vocabulary and grammar
2. Exposes us to novel ideas, actions, geography and people so that we become more culturally & historically aware
3. Energizes us for action or de-stresses us after an action-packed day
4. Improves our general knowledge and imagination
5. Clarifies difficult topics (If there is a children’s book on the topic, I always read that first so I can get a simple overview.)
6. Gives us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes and wisdom of others
7. Encourages us to be the best we can be
8. Is a fun way to spend our time and/or learn
9. Enhances our creativity and concentration
10. Shows us how we can do life, work, health, relationships, etc.  better, easier, faster, cheaper
11. Increases family bonding when the reading is done out loud
12. Alleviates loneliness
13. Nourishes our soul and intellect

Tomie dePaola says, “Reading is important because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” Watch this Youtube clip to hear him explain more.

What would you add to this list? How is reading beneficial to you?

Related Posts

• 3 Simple Ways to Get Children Reading (from Awesomely Awake: Parenting from the Heart blog.  An interview with Melissa Taylor author of Book Love.)
• 10 Read Out Loud Tips for More Enjoyment
• 11 Benefits of Picture Books from Learning Unlimited llc
• 20+ Years Reading Aloud Veteran Answers 10 Read Aloud Questions
• A Key to Getting Ahead: Reading from the Tales of Work Blog

Brad Isaac at Persistance Unlimited has two good articles on reading. (1) Click here to read “The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success.”  (2) Go hereto read “5 Sneaky and Underhanded Methods To Add 30% More Time To Your Daily Reading Schedule.