Grab That Book! Four Ways that Fiction is Good for You

by nance In Freelance Leave a comment

This is a freelance piece.  I write a monthly article for a client in California.  When possible, I post my freelance work here on the blog.  If you are looking for assistance with a writing project or need a freelance writer, shoot me an email: nancymyersrust [at] gmail [dot] com.

Ever feel guilty whiling away an hour engrossed in a good book?  Does reading seem like an indulgence best saved for the weekends or vacation?   Do you feel like you haven’t accomplished anything if you spend too much time curled up on the couch with your latest library find?

Well, worry no more.  The science is in and we now have proof that reading a good story is good for you.    Here’s how:

01. Reading Boosts Your Emotional Intelligence

According to several studies, people who read literary fiction have higher levels of empathy and emotional intelligence.  When you immerse yourself in a story you activate the regions of your brain that are responsible for understanding other people and seeing the world from a new perspective.

When you read a work of fiction, you identify with the longings and desires, the frustrations and pitfalls of the characters.  You guess what they will do next and wonder about their motivations and fears.  This crosses over into your real life.  Reading teaches you how to explore complex emotions and ideas and this has a direct impact on your relationships with family and friends when you use these skills outside the pages of your books.

02. Reading Improves Your Memory

When you read a novel you repeatedly recall plot, background, characters and personalities from the pages you’ve already read, not to mention the visuals that you erect in your imagination as you go.  While this can certainly be difficult at times, it’s great exercise for your brain.  It allows new synapses and pathways to form and constantly works to keep your memory keen.

There is also evidence that suggests that regular reading of at least one hour per day can lower your rate of cognitive decline by 32%.  Avid readers also have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and, interestingly, skimming the newspaper or reading an article in a magazine does not have the same effect as delving deeply into a book.

03. Reading Helps You Sleep Better

One of the best things you can do for your overall health is get a good night’s sleep.  According to the Mayo Clinic, reading a physical book can help you ease the transition from being alert and awake to being calm and restful.

Make a plan to read for at least 15 minutes every night before bed.  It’s a great segue from the tasks and worries of the day to a calm and restful night’s sleep.

04. Reading Provides Stress Relief

In a world with ongoing, ever-present distractions and stress, it can be hard to decompress.  Reading, it turns out, might be just the ticket for reducing your stress levels.  In fact, reading can reduce your stress by 68% and is more effective at lowering stress levels than listening to music or taking a walk.  In fact, reading for as little as six minutes has been shown to reduce stress by 60%, slow your heart rate, ease muscle tension and alter your state of mind.

Not only does reading induce meditative-like qualities, it allows you to disengage for awhile. You can lose yourself in a story and escape from the worries of the world.

Need a Recommendation?

Sometimes the options can be overwhelming.  You walk into a bookstore or the local library and don’t know where to turn.  Here are a few worthwhile reads from recent years to get you started…

So stock up the bedside table, add ‘reading’ to your to-do list and start reaping the rewards. Your brain and your body will thank you for it!