Your cart is currently empty!
Brain Food Wednesday: What Shapes Our Thoughts on Reading Books?
Dear Reader,
In this week’s newsletter, the 142nd issue, I’m writing about what shapes our thoughts on reading books. My thoughts on reading books must have come from my mother. I always had access to books, and I cannot remember a time when I didn’t enjoy reading books.
Sometimes in my life, when I was under a lot of stress, I had problems focusing on nonfiction. At those times, I read a lot of fiction. So, I was still reading and enjoying the experience. Reading has been a part of my daily routine for many years.
What or who shaped your thoughts on reading books? Below, you’ll find the article I wrote, and I hope you find it helpful.
Ask Avil
What Shapes Our Thoughts on Reading Books?
Reading books has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing stress, improving brain function and memory, and increasing empathy. Despite these well-known advantages, many people don’t read as often as they should. In this article, we’ll explore reasons people don’t read more often, and offer some tips on how to get into the habit of reading more frequently.
One reason people don’t read as much as they should is that they find it difficult to find time to sit down and read. With work, family, and social obligations taking up so much time, it’s hard to find even 30 minutes to an hour to dedicate to reading. However, there are ways to make time for reading. One way is to schedule reading time into your day like you would any other appointment.
The Role of Parents in Instilling a Love for Reading
Though it is not always easy, one of the most important things parents can do to encourage their children to love reading is to be reading themselves. When kids see their parents reading for fun, they are more likely to want to try it out themselves.
In addition, parents should attempt to take their children to the library and let them pick out books that look interesting to them. It is also helpful if parents can find time to read with their kids every day, even if it is just for a few minutes. By instilling a love for reading in their children from an early age, parents can set them up for success in school and in life.
The Influence of Friends and Peers on our Reading Habits
Books are often seen as a solitary activity, but our reading habits are actually influenced by the surrounding people. The friends and peers we interact with can play a big role in what books we read and how much we enjoy them.
If you’re constantly seeing your friends reading a certain book or genre, you’re more likely to pick it up yourself. And if you have friends who are avid readers, they can introduce you to new authors and titles that you might not have discovered on your own. Seeing other people enjoying a book can also make you more likely to try it.
Of course, not all peer pressure is positive. If our friends are mocking someone for reading a particular book, we might be less likely to want to read it ourselves.
How Education Influences Reading Habits
Education and reading habits are interconnected. A person’s reading habits are often shaped by their educational experiences. For example, someone who had positive experiences with reading in school is more likely to continue reading throughout their life than someone who didn’t. This is because education can instill a love of reading in students and teach them the importance of reading for enjoyment and knowledge.
Besides shaping one’s overall attitude towards reading, education also influences what type of books people read. People who have been exposed to a variety of literature in school are more likely to read a variety of genres as adults. They may also be more likely to seek challenging or complex books they wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
How Technology Affects Reading
When reading books, you’re often inundated with choices. Whether it’s what book to read next, or how to read it (e-book, audiobook, etc.), technology has changed how we approach reading. In some ways this is good – we have more access to books than ever before–but in other ways it can be detrimental, as we can become overwhelmed with options and lose sight of why we read in the first place: for pleasure, for understanding, for knowledge.
Technology has made reading more convenient. We can now carry around thousands of e-books on a single device, and download them instantly whenever we want. We can also listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, such as commuting or exercising.
How the Media Affects our Perception of Reading
When reading books, people often let the media dictate what they should read and how they should read it. We see book reviews in magazines and on TV, and these can often sway our opinion on whether we want to read a certain book. Social media also plays a big role in how we perceive reading. For example, if everyone is talking about how great a particular book is, you’re more likely to want to read it.
The media can have both positive and negative effects on our perception of reading. On the one hand, it can help you discover new and interesting books you might not have otherwise known about. But it can also make you feel you need to read certain books to be considered well-read.
The Benefits of Reading Books
Reading books has many benefits that can improve our lives in several ways. For example, reading can help reduce stress, improve brain function, and increase empathy.
One of the major benefits of reading books is that it can help reduce stress. A study conducted by the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%. This is likely because when you read fiction, you’re transported to another world and distracted from your own worries and concerns.
Besides reducing stress, reading books can also improve brain function. Studies have shown that reading can help improve memory, attention span, and critical thinking skills. One study even found that reading can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, reading books can also increase empathy.
Conclusion: The Value of Books in Our Lives
Books play a significant role in our lives. They are a source of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. It is important to encourage reading habits from a young age, as it helps to develop critical thinking and imagination. Books can help you better understand the world and provide comfort in difficult times.
In conclusion, the value of books in our lives cannot be underestimated. They offer so much potential for personal growth and enrichment. You should attempt to read more often and expose yourself to a variety of different genres to reap the maximum benefits.
Join my membership site, Art of Learning Leadership Academy, at an introductory price as we build out the content on the site. Be one of the founding members.
Art of Learning Leadership Academy Membership Site
Until Next Week,
Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor