Reading opens your mind to expand your knowledge. The most basic reason to read is to assimilate information that has been explored, compiled, and passed down through the ages. Our own individual experiences are no longer the limit to what we can know. There are infinite subject matters to study from authors we’ll never meet, from all over the world, from many different points in time.
Works of fiction and poetry are also important reading materials, as they invite us to explore alternative perspectives that may be far removed from our own. Imaginative passages pick up our minds and transport us into someone else’s shoes for a time, allowing us profound experiences of empathy. Even if there is no basis in reality, the mind flexes its empathetic muscles and exercises this essential skill.
Reading benefits your mind
According to The Huffington Post, there are many science-backed reasons to read every day:
- Reading cultivates “theory of mind” – the skill of being able to read others.
- It takes just six minutes of reading to relax when you’re feeling stressed.
- You’ll experience slower memory decline and may even stave off Alzheimer’s.
- It’s a great way to wind down before bed and help you sleep.
- Reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jose Saramago, and other fiction increases feelings of empathy.
- People who receive therapy and read have lower depression levels than the therapy only group.
Follow international news to stay informed about global happenings
Reading makes a responsible and well-informed global citizen. You may find that what you read illuminates a path toward activism or helping others. When you read about history, you understand the struggles our forefathers have gone through to give us a bright future. The experiences and struggles of others can make you forget your distress, and serve as inspiration for the resolution of your problems.
A good story provides inner peace and relaxes the mind
Make reading your first preference whenever you feel down. It’s so easy to pick up a book and mentally transport yourself to a new place. The characters of good novels are filled with qualities you may recognize in people you know. Their storylines may parallel issues in your own life – or they may be radically different and whisk you away on an exciting adventure. Each person reads a story differently and extracts what is needed from the narrative.
Empowering questions:
- Besides reading, what are other ways to achieve knowledge?
- How can the real-life experiences of other people motivate me?
- How can I use the knowledge gained through reading to change my situation or myself?
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of a Coach. If you are grappling with your established business and laboring with lackluster sales, perhaps you should consider working with a Professional Business Growth Coach.
This partnership will empower your professional growth, those of your team, while positively impacting your revenues by 21.5% or more.
Author: Lisa Morgan Mosley is a Certified Business Growth Coach practicing in the United States and Canada.
Get Empowered with Lisa’s Expressions of Empowerment Self Help Book
https://www.212degreescoaching.com
email: lisa@212degreescoaching.com
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