Reading is cheap, educational, entertaining, and a great way to give your brain a work out. It’s also an effective way to expand your understanding of the world.

There are things that some people dislike about reading. It’s a solitary activity, reading does not come easily to some, some prefer more activity, etc.. Today, we are fortunate to have books on tape which make listening while driving, jogging, walking, gardening, etcetera, excellent options.

How much time do you spend reading right now? What could you accomplish if you read for 30 minutes each day and applied that information to your life? Any subject you’d like to know more about can be found in a book.

Change your life for the better! Consider these benefits of reading:

• Reading is cheap education. Many companies have a lot of eBooks available for a fee. The library is free. Sitting in the bookstore and reading is free. Purchasing a book is normally quite inexpensive, too. 

Used bookstores are my favorites because I can buy many books for very little money. Also, I like to support my local used book stores. Used book stores general give store credit for your used books. However, I donate my books to used book stores to help support them.

You can learn so much for so little money. There’s an endless amount of information available in books.

• Reading is cheap entertainment. You don’t need to leave the house or spend any money to entertain yourself. All you need is a book. 

Some people love to learn new information. Others prefer to read fiction. There are benefits to both. Regardless of your preferences, there are books out there that will entertain you. Most people enjoy reading if they find a book that interests them. 

• Reading is great for your brain. Reading has been shown to increase brain activity and memory. Reading can also enhance sleep. Reading before bed can relax your mind and become a mental signal that it’s time to prepare for sleep. Try reading each night for at least 10 minutes immediately before bed. You might need to be discriminating with your bedtime genre. If you get nightmares, change your routine or choose another genre.
  
  
• You broaden your perspective. For most of us, our surroundings don’t change a lot. The people we interact with don’t change much either. One of the best ways to get a new perspective on a topic – or life – is to read.

You’re not going to learn about Russian history or the finer points of international economics from your current situation. Do you have a friend that can fill you in on Jainism? Probably not.

• A book is like a portable expert. The greatest minds of all time have written books.

You can’t afford to hire the world’s movers and shakers to come to your house for a chat. And many of the most influential people of history are no longer with us. But you can find their words and ideas preserved in books. The world’s greatest experts are always available to you.

• Relaxation. Reading can be very relaxing. It’s a great distraction. Each book can be its own adventure that carries your mind and attention away. Allow your mind to forget about your challenges for a while.

Reading has been shown to be a better stress reducer than listening to music, playing video games, or going for a walk.

• Enhanced focus. Those that read regularly score higher on tests that measure the ability to concentrate, to focus, and to perform on verbal problem-solving skills. If your attention span is poor, consider giving reading a try. You’ll gain numerous benefits, including greater focus.

Reading requires the ability to not only pay attention to the words, but to also think and visualize. This is a lot of work for your brain to accomplish. Reading works your brain in a unique way. Reading is primarily a speech center activity. You switch to the frontal lobe to decode unfamiliar words or find meaning.

I love books that make me look up new words.  Very few authors can do that, so I treasure those authors.

I do not leave the house without a book. My 92-year-old mother and I trade books. Once we’ve both read a book, we donate it. Mama has several recipients for her books. They include the senior citizen center, the local Elks Club and her hairdresser.

It’s easy to see why reading is such a great activity. You can expand your vocabulary, save money, and develop your brain while entertaining, and educating, yourself. You’ll become a more interesting person and learn more about yourself. All you have to do is spend a few minutes reading each day. What are you doing tonight?

The simple fact that you exist guarantees you deserve the best that life offers. You ARE enough exactly as you are!