So, what are the benefits of reading books? Here are 10 benefits of reading that illustrate the importance of reading books. 1. You gain valuable knowledge One of the most obvious benefits of reading every day is learning, and unlike a YouTube video or podcast, books provide access to in-depth knowledge. If you want to become more productive, which do you think you'll learn more from: A book by someone who's studied productivity for 20 years, or a 10-minute YouTube video by someone interested in the topic? Which do you think you'll absorb more from? Which do you think is more likely to help change your habits? The book, of course! Going beyond the surface of a subject is essential to success. This is probably why the author Roald Dahl once said, "If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books." 2. You exercise your brain. As the 17th century English writer Joseph Addison once wrote, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." So, what does reading do to your brain? Research has confirmed that reading stimulates a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As you improve your reading ability, these networks become stronger and more sophisticated. Our brains have a 'use it or lose it' policy, just like our muscles. In other words, if we don't exercise our minds regularly, our cognitive abilities may decline. However, when we read every day, we can keep them strong and healthy. 3. You improve your focus Being able to concentrate and focus for long periods is essential to our success and well-being. Cal Newport, the author of Deep Work, writes: 'To remain valuable in our economy ... you must master the art of quickly learning complicated things. This task requires deep work.' What is 'deep work'? Newport explains: "Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It's a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. A study by Microsoft would agree, finding that people generally lose attention after just eight seconds. Quite unfortunate. Thankfully, one of the key benefits of reading is that it helps you practice concentrating on just one thing at a time. In short, if you want to succeed, you need to focus, and if you want to focus more, you can practice by reading books. 4. You improve your memory Are you always forgetting things? Do you have a bunch of to-do lists, but you can't quite remember what's on them? Fear not – one of the advantages of reading books is that it can improve your memory. When you read a non-fiction book, you consume an enormous amount of information on the subject you're reading about. Similarly, whenever you read a novel, you have to remember tons of information about the story's plot and subplots, the characters and their relationships, and the environment in which the story takes place. All of this new information creates new memories, and every new memory creates synapses or strengthens old ones. Reading every day can improve your memory – it can help you learn how to store new information and recall memories more effectively. 5. You enjoy entertainment Books provide some of the most engaging entertainment on the planet. As the author Stephen King said, 'Books are a uniquely portable magic.' Have you ever read a book that you couldn't put down? Do you remember feeling so invested in the story or what you were learning that you would keep reading even when you needed to use the bathroom or were hungry? To replicate that feeling, or to experience it for the first time, all you need to do is find the right books to read. So, step away from your smart phone each day, open the pages of a book, and dive in. 6. You improve your ability to empathize Another one of the benefits of reading books is that they can improve our ability to empathize with others, and empathy has many benefits: it can reduce stress, improve our relationships, and inform our moral compasses. How? Research has shown that long-term fiction readers tend to develop a better 'theory of mind' – the term used to describe our capacity for empathy and ability to understand others. 7. You improve your communication skills The ability to communicate effectively is a vital life skill. In fact, one study discovered that 69% of employers are looking to hire people with 'soft' skills, such as effective communication. One of the key benefits of reading is that it helps us to communicate better. Reading every day can improve our communication skills in a few ways. 8. It helps reduce stress Another one of the effects of reading is that it can reduce stress. Research has proven that just 30 minutes of reading can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress. Another study discovered that reading is the best way to reduce stress, compared to taking a walk, having a cup of tea or coffee, and playing video games. 9. You improve your mental health The benefits of reading also extend to mental health. Researchers studied the effects of self-help books and found that many have a measurable impact on depression or other mood disorders. 10. You tend to live longer This last effect of reading is perhaps one of the most exciting and interesting: It turns out that the health benefits of reading can help us live longer. All in all, when you read every day, you're more likely to retain your mental abilities and live longer! So pick up that book and start reading today!