If there is something more powerful for the mind than reading, I don’t know what it is. Reading exercises the brain, improves concentration, reduces stress, and provides entertainment. George R.R. Martin said, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies... The man who never reads lives only one"2. Somebody else said, probably Twain, “The man who doesn’t read has no advantage over the man who cannot”
The fundamental benefit of reading is its ability to stimulate the mind. When we read, we have to remember various ideas, characters, settings, and plot details, which serves as a workout for our brain and improves memory function1. This mental stimulation helps to slow cognitive decline and potentially prevent conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and other mental disfunction.5
Provided you’re not reading a newspaper or YouTube comments, reading reduces stress. When we immerse ourselves in a book, we escape the monotony of daily life, decrease our stress levels, lower our heart rate, and reduce our blood pressure1. Groucho Marx set the bar and became the master of this escapist quality when he said, "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book"2.
Reading supecharges our empathy and understanding of others. Books allow us to experience realities outside our own lives, often putting us in the shoes or mindset of others. The exposure to different perspectives and experiences helps us to hold alternative and/or opposing ideas in our mind without losing function, a crucial skill in today's hyperconnected world1.
Reading significantly improves vocabulary and language skills. Regular exposure to well-written texts enhances our own writing and speaking abilities. As we encounter new words in context, our vocabulary naturally expands, benefiting both native speakers and those learning new languages5.
As with exercise, diet, and everything else, reading sets a positive example. When children or other impressionable people see others engaged in reading, they're more likely to develop the habit themselves. The more we normalize reading, the more we disuade staring at a phone.
For social workers reading is particularly important. Just a few for us follow:
"The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.3
"The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice" by Dennis Saleebey3
"Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond3
"The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" by Bruce D. Perry and Maia Szalavitz3
These books offer valuable insights into trauma, strengths-based approaches, housing insecurity, and childhood trauma. All crucial topics for effective social work practice.
The benefits of reading are vast and varied. From cognitive improvements to stress reduction, from empathy building to personal growth, books offer a universe of advantages.
“Reading is the birthright of the human being”...Lavar Burton. Don’t let Lavar down
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