The Importance of Reading

Reading is an important part of society. It is believed that the first written words came into existence around 3,500 BC. Since then, as the art form evolved nearly every person worldwide has been taught to both read and write. Allowing a form of communication that is integral to the way our world functions. Not only is reading an excellent tool for communication, but it is also a way to excite your brain and indulge in a story. In recent years, reading had begun to fall off in it’s popularity. With the invention of television, YouTube, Netflix and other entertainment vices, reading has been put on the back burner. Especially since it can be seen as a chore due to schools requiring you to read things that may not interest you in any way. However, while reading may not be the most exciting option, there’s a few reasons why it's worth your time. Today I’d like to briefly talk about three of the reasons I still read and why I enjoy it

Reason 1 - Escape

Life can be messy and complicated. Sometimes we need a way to escape from the chaos for a little while. Reading a good story can get your mind so involved in the plot that you seem to just forget about the world around you for a bit. The best thing about reading is unlike TV, there's no visuals to aid in telling the story. That means it's your brain’s job to create images to go along with what you’re reading. Use of this creative part of your brain really sucks you into a story and is the perfect way to escape the mess that life can be for a little while.

Reason 2 - Brain function

It’s been suggested and in some cases proven that reading improves your brain functions. Because the action uses so many different parts of your brain, it forces your neurons to fire constantly and regularly which strengthens them. In a study done by PsychologyToday, 21 students were monitored with MRI scans and then told to read “Pompeii” by Robert Harris over a nine night period. Their brains were scanned every morning. By the end the scans revealed heightened brain activity and function across the board. Over time, frequent reading can grow new connections in your brain and even mend broken ones. It’s like a workout for your mind, and one of the best things you can do for your mental strength.

Reason 3 - Education

Reading is a great way to pass time, a good fiction novel or romance novel can suck you in and keep you entertained for hours on end. However, reading is also the way people have learned new information for thousands of years. When you hear something from a teacher or friend, there’s a good chance that information will go in one ear and out the other. It’s hard to maintain everything we learn audibly, but reading gives a visual tie inside your memory that really helps that info to sink in. It is estimated that across the world there are over 130 million unique books, some having been written weeks ago, and some containing knowledge that’s been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years. The amount of things we can learn from reading is immeasurable, it is truly the best way to broaden your horizons and learn something new.

Reading will always be a part of society. No matter how obsolete books become as technology begins to take their place. Reading is simply a part of who we all are, it's how we learned growing up, how we share knowledge and opinions with others and how we release our creativity into the world. Whether you’re someone who loves to read or hates it, I’d recommend that next time you need an escape, or a brain boost, or even want to learn something new. Find a good book and read. You’ll be surprised how fast you get hooked.

-Braden Schmidt 11-8-2019