The benefits of reading

Featured in

    In this article, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of reading, why successful people read, and how to read more quickly and easily.

    Read any good books lately?

    That question is more than just an icebreaker to make small talk with friends or colleagues. Reading is one of the keys to becoming a life-long learner and staying mentally alert.

    In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ,benefits of reading why successful people read, and how to read more quickly and easily.

    What are the Benefits of Reading?

    We all know that reading is important for students to help them learn and grow, but it’s just as important for adults to keep reading as well. Whether you are reading to learn something or purely for enjoyment, reading has been shown to have multiple benefits, including:

    1. Reading improves concentration and focus
    2. Reading improves literacy and vocabulary
    3. Reading increases your knowledge of the world
    4. Reading is often inspiring and motivational
    5. Reading reduces stress and helps improve sleep
    6. Reading lets us experience realities outside our lives

    Exercises and Stimulates the Brain

    Reading helps exercise the brain to keep you mentally alert. Neurologists believe there’s a connection between people that read and actively stay engaged with cognitive awareness. Several studies indicate that regular reading may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

    Fiction and nonfiction can equally stimulate the brain. In one study, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the brain activity of people reading a novel over nine days. As tension built in the story, brain activity increased. Brain scans showed that even days after finishing the novel, brain connectivity increased.

    Reduce Stress and Alleviates Depression

    Reading has also been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and help reduce feelings of depression. In the UK, the National Health Service even offers a Books-on-Prescription program. Doctors prescribe books curated by medical experts for certain conditions.

    The Reading Habits of Highly Successful People

    Most successful people are avid readers.

    1. Former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates says he reads a new book nearly every week.
    2. Investor Warren Buffet, head of Berkshire Hathaway, is known to spend more than five hours a day reading different newspapers, websites, and financial documents.
    3. Oprah Winfrey says books allowed her to see the possibilities beyond her front porch.
    4. Entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, says he tries to read at least three hours a day.
    5. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he read up to 10 hours a day when he was younger.

    These highly successful people are constantly reading and absorbing new information to keep themselves informed. While they may focus on nonfiction for the most part, there are also significant benefits of reading fiction. Books can transport you to new worlds, let you escape from stress and pressure, and entertain you.

    The Benefits of Reading Before Bed

    Reading before going to sleep at night is also a way to wind down from a long day. Many people make reading a nighttime ritual that helps them settle their minds and sleep better.

    A 2021 study compared the sleeping habits of people by asking half of the participants before bedtime and half of them not to read. It reported that 42% of readers saw improvement in their sleep patterns in just one week compared to just 28% of the non-readers.

    The Benefits of Reading Aloud

    Reading aloud helps students learn to use vocabulary and aids in comprehension. It works for adults, too. Studies show that when you hear the words, you are more likely to absorb the context and remember it.

    Researchers at the University of Waterloo also say it helps memory in general, similar to the way doing puzzles or crosswords helps keep your mind sharp.

    How Can Text to Speech Help?

    Text to speech (TTS) can be a more productive and efficient way to read more. TTS lets you read anything in a browser. When you install an app or browser extension, you can read anything you are interested in by automatically translating the written word into speech.

    It’s especially helpful for those suffering from dyslexia, ADD, poor vision, or those that speak English as a second language. However, TTS is a great tool for anyone that loves to read.

    TTS lets you breeze through content up to two to three times faster than it would take to read it and lets you take your reading wherever you go. At work, at home, in the car, out for a walk, or working out at the gym, you can turn any text into audio to make listening to it a snap.

    The Speechify Text-to-Speech (TTS) app is a premier browser extension that lets you read anything in a browser aloud. You can also scan books — or any text — and import it into the Speechify app to read.

    Try Speechify TTS today.

    Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs

    What is the advantage of reading?

    Reading health you learn new things and be entertained. The benefits of reading books include improving your focus, memory, empathy, and communication skills. Reading can also help reduce stress and let you relax, thereby improving your mental health.

    What is the main purpose of reading?

    People read for a variety of reasons. Some do it to learn or understand something, to stay on top of the news, or for enjoyment. When you read, you can get insight into subjects, expand your vocabulary, and help improve your reading comprehension.

    What is the value of reading?

    The value of reading is that it can help you become a more informed and well-rounded individual. Reading can help train your brain to think critically, be open to new ideas, and develop analytical skills.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves