7 Benefits of Reading Fiction
by Jill
Brennan
zone3
Reading fiction can seem like an absolute indulgence when life goes
into overdrive. But did you know it's good for you? Yes,
really!
Is your life so busy you’re wondering how you are going to find
time to read more, especially when it’s just for ‘pleasure’? Having
trouble justifying it, even to yourself? Leisure activities like reading
are often the things that slide when life goes into overdrive. And that’s
sad because it’s an activity that can make life richer and more enjoyable.
A lot has been written about the benefits of reading for and to children.
However, there is very little about the benefits to adults in engaging in
regular reading. Let me assure you that the benefits for adults do exist
and are many and varied. Some of these include:
1. Providing an escape from the day-to-day Fiction is a great way to
take a quick immediate break, to be instantly transported into another
world. Today you could be in America, in the deep south with Alice
Walker’s ‘The Colour Purple’, tomorrow in the Australian bush with Tim
Winton’s ‘Dirt Music’, next week in downtown London with Helen Fielding’s
‘Bridget Jones Diary’ and next month in Ireland with Jim O’Neill’s ‘At
Swim, Two Boys’. There is no limit to the places fiction can take you.
2. Relaxation There is something about stopping to focus on words
arranged for our reading pleasure that is instantly relaxing. Maybe it’s
staying still, something that doesn’t seem to happen often enough. Maybe
it’s knowing that we are stepping into a secret world that we have to
relax enough to enter. Then there is the words themselves. The beauty and
rhythm of language has the ability to calm and relax us. 3. Stress relief
Taking your mind off your own problems, even for a few minutes, can have a
therapeutic effect and be a timely circuit breaker. This is so effective
that the National Health System in the United Kingdom has introduced a
‘Reading and You Scheme’. The scheme encourages mental health patients to
read more as part of their therapy for reducing stress and overcoming
anxiety, depression and social isolation.
4. Stimulates the right side of your brain Reading opens your mind to
new possibilities. It stretches your imagination in new and wonderful
directions and takes your mind on a wonderful journey through others’
lives. What would you do if you were Jo Becker in ‘While I Was Gone’ by
Sue Miller? Would you tell your husband and three daughters about a grisly
crime that happened when you were a university student? Or would you try
to pretend it never happened? 5. Entertaining Fiction is capable of
provoking many and varied emotional responses – it can make you laugh out
loud, it can make tears spill onto the page, it can be edge-of-the seat
terrifying, it can make you blush with embarrassment, it can challenge
your core beliefs. There is a world of emotion in every story and you as
the reader get to be part of it.
6. Enjoyable Reading is a deeply satisfying pursuit. The expression
‘curling up with a book’ evokes a warm and cosy image and feels luxurious
if you don’t get to do it often. 7. Rejuvenating Reading is an easy and
quick way to nourish your soul because it is for the most part a solitary
pursuit. And being alone, or at least alone in your thoughts, on a regular
basis is crucial to maintaining a sense of self. As I’m sure you know,
it’s easier to give to others when you feel fulfilled and your needs are
met. Even just a few minutes of reading can keep you going throughout the
day. Of course, you know you’ve read something special when you find your
thoughts continually re-visiting it.
Reading is like exercising – mental and physical benefits flow from a
regular routine. So don’t feel guilty about taking time out to read. Its
good for you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Brennan, an experienced writer, editor and mother of 2 young
boys, created espresso Fiction to help time-poor fiction lovers get a
regular hit of quality fiction that they could read in 15 minutes or less
and still feel satisfied. To learn more about getting great fiction
home delivered, go to http://www.fastfoodforyourmind.com/
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