The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
Lots of things are good for us. Eat your veggies and fruit. Get enough rest. Brush your teeth. Dress according to the weather. Wear sunscreen. Exercise daily. And the list goes on. These are all things that we do physically, on the outside. And they are things we often tell our children. So when I told my seven-year-old that reading was good for her, she couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around it. “It is?” she questioned. I’m guessing that things we put into our mind seems different than things we physically put into and onto our bodies for “good” reasons. Or perhaps it’s because she enjoys doing it. How can anything we enjoy doing be “good” for us?
Some people love reading so much they become bookworms. They are the ones you see at their child’s sports practices with their nose in a book, seemingly antisocial. They are the ones who neglect cleaning their house, procrastinate on writing assignments, forego exercise, or become sleep-deprived because they are obsessed with reading. Sometimes they read so fast that they barely remember the titles. These so-called bookworms prefer reading over most other options that come their way. They have to literally refrain from visiting the library, buying bargain books, borrowing books from friends, or downloading them (if you are an electronics fan) in order to get anything accomplished. They love everything about books including the way they look, the way they feel, the way they sound when turning a page, and even the way they smell. (This may or may not be me.)
While I could write pages about the benefits of reading, I will stick to a few of the top reasons:
1. Keeps your mind active. When we read, we imagine the people, the landscape, and the feelings behind the characters. Therefore, reading forces our minds to work. Reading is one way we teach children language skills. Studies indicate reading can keep dementia at bay.
2. Improves writing skills. Reading helps us become better writers because we expose ourselves to new words. When we constantly see words, we learn more vocabulary and the correct spelling of words. We learn how to properly use punctuation and put words together to form sentences and paragraphs.
3. Provides entertainment. A good book is essentially a cheap form of entertainment. It’s typically cheaper than a night out at the movies or a nice dinner at a restaurant. Even better, this form of entertainment can last for days instead of hours. Furthermore, you can take this form of entertainment with you just about anywhere. For those who prefer to read by electronic means, you can download a book in a matter of minutes!
4. Helps you relax. Diving into a good story can take you away from the stress of reality.
5. Teaches you new things. Reading provides us an abundance of knowledge that covers nearly everything we could ever face in our lifetimes and more. Reading helps us follow directions, learn about current events, and so much more.
So many good things come from reading. However, it can be time-consuming and addictive, so be aware of the clock when responsibilities loom. Otherwise, read on!
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
