Over the centuries the purpose and meaning of reading has changed drastically. If in the past books were accessible to only the privileged few, because of low literacy rate and the simple fact that books were so expensive that only the richest classes could afford them. Gutenberg and the invention of the press changed everything, and with the emergence of new technologies in the past decade, things changed even more. Books were never as assessable as they are now. The problem most people have with reading today is that it is time-consuming, and everyone is living a hectic lifestyle in which the noble leisurely pursuit of reading has no place – which is just another reason why you should do it.
Come to think of it, we actually do have much more free time. Even if you are working ten hours a day, you still have that half an hour before you go to bed – instead of spending it on social networks or in front of the TV, you can actually grab a book and read a couple of dozens of pages. The presence of so many reliable and easily called professional contractors who can do literally everything around the house – from cleaning to repairs and rubbish removals and junk disposal, free up even more time that you can invest in reading. By doing so you are actually investing in your comfort and decrease the levels of stress in your brain, which is one of, probably even the most important, reasons why you should seriously consider taking up reading books – fiction, non-fiction, essays etc.- as a hobby if you haven’t done so already.
In addition to its calming effect, scientific studies show that reading increases dopamine levels, which means that by reading a good book you are becoming happier. We cannot think of a better reason to promote books among people of all ages, races and gender. Can you?
Another bunch of recent neurological studies has actually proven what writers and people who love reading have been telling for centuries. Turns out that reading a good fiction book activates the same centers in the brain that work when you are going through a particular experience yourself. This means that by reading novels and short stories you are actually living a whole new life. Why limit yourself to just one life and one chain of events, when you can have thousands in the same period of time?
Reading is proven to increase awareness about the world and your sense of empathy. By reading you become a better, more understanding person and a more decent human being after all. We are not saying you are bad now, but there is always room for improvement, right? And reading is giving you the shortest and most pleasant route to it. You own it to the world and you own it to yourself – go to your local bookstore, or check out some reviews online first, and experience firsthand all the positive effects of reading.