World Book Day: The Benefits of Reading for Pleasure
Curriculum for Life editorial team
In this article, written for World Book Day, we’ll look at all the benefits of reading for pleasure – and why you should consider reading more.
Some of you might remember World Book Day as the one day of the year that you were encouraged to dress up like your favourite book character. Or even, a day where you could wear your pyjamas to school as if you were hearing a bedtime story!
Many people remember these days fondly and can tell you instantly who they dressed up as. But World Book Day is far more than celebrating beloved characters – it’s an opportunity to promote the benefits of reading.
That’s why this article is going to cover the reasons why you should try and incorporate more reading into your leisure time.
Why is reading so great?
Reading is one of those hobbies that does far more for you than you’d ever expect. It’s entertaining, relaxing, and surprisingly good for your brain. Whether you love losing yourself in a novel, discovering more with a non-fiction book, or seeing what the fuss is about with the newest trending ‘BookTok’ recommendation, there’s something about starting a new book that can make you feel excited.
Here are just a few reasons why reading is such a brilliant hobby to pick up.
That dopamine hit when you finish a book
There’s real science behind why finishing a book feels so good. Every time you complete a goal, like reaching the end of a chapter or turning the final page, your brain releases dopamine, the chemical linked to pleasure and reward. This is the exact same chemical we get when we scroll through videos on our phone, or tick tasks off the to-do list.
However, as we must work a little bit harder to reach the next page, the dopamine hit is much more powerful. This leaves us more satisfied in the long term.
When you finally finish the book and realise you did it, even if it took you weeks or even months, the satisfaction of knowing you read the whole thing is a moment to celebrate!
Reading can make you more empathetic
Another amazing thing about reading is how it helps you understand other people better. When you read a story, you’re essentially stepping into someone else’s life and seeing the world through their eyes.
You experience their thoughts and feelings through their victories and challenges. This helps strengthen your ability to empathise with people in real life too, as you’re being given the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. In time, this will make you a more emotionally aware person.
It can help with your language and communication skills
Reading is one of the easiest ways to improve your vocabulary and the way you communicate. You naturally pick up new words, sentence styles, and ways of expressing ideas just by following along with a story.
It’s great for writing, speaking, or just feeling more confident when articulating your thoughts. If you read regularly, you’re basically sharpening your language skills without even realising it.
Escaping into another world
As we get older, we often have more responsibility to manage, and that can be stressful. So, an escape into another world for a few hours can be an indulgent experience. We all like different things, so whatever type of book you’re interested in, reading offers a unique kind of immersion that can be calming and exciting at the same time.
This screen-free activity will help you to spend time offline. Plus, it’s also a great way to allow your imagination to run wild. When a book really pulls you in, it’s one of the most enjoyable feelings there is.
Top Tips
If you’re struggling with reading for leisure, here are some tips:
- Usually, you’ll know if you like a book early on – if it’s not for you, then move on!
- Pick a genre you think you’d like – getting into reading is easier if you like what you’re reading about.
- If concentrating is your issue, set a goal of how many pages you’d like to read and work towards that number.
- Create time in your day to read. Maybe this is just before bed or on your commute to school, whatever works for you.
Reading isn’t just a hobby; it’s a whole experience. It makes you happier, smarter and more relaxed. So, if you’re thinking about picking up a book more often, then this is your sign to do exactly that.
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