Contrary to popular belief, reading will never go out of fashion, despite the endless claims that it is quickly going out of style. True, reading is something that fewer people want to do. However, it is a shame that people have lost their connection to literature because it has endless benefits for your health and wellbeing.

Throughout history, reading has always been an important component of social life; stories have been used to teach, entertain and share a message with others. Ultimately, reading something can have a significant impact on the way that you choose to interact with the world. Here are some important reasons for reading for personal growth:

It enhances your empathy

Most stories, at least the good ones, have compelling protagonists, which are the main characters included in every story. The reader, therefore, has to care about the protagonist in a relatable way, which helps to build empathy. If you can learn to emote over someone fictional, then you will be a lot more equipped to handle individuals in real life.

It allows you to de-stress

Reading on a regular basis can help to reduce your stress levels by as much as 70 percent. Although activities such as listening to music and exercise have been known to help with anxiety, reading is one of the strongest techniques that a person can use. It helps the mind and body relax, and it also contributes to distracting you constructively.

It is peaceful

Reading is a soothing activity like no other. Even for high-energy individuals, reading forces them to sit and be still, which can be miraculous for a person suffering from anxiety. Also, reading can also be a form of therapy because it can give you answers that guide you on your personal problems. The stories included in books can help to bring up your own unresolved conflicts, allowing you to tackle your issues in a much healthier way.

It increases your intelligence

This should come as no surprise, but reading on a consistent basis helps to boost your knowledge levels. Everything that you read, even the fiction pieces, fills your head with new information that can come in handy in tricky situations.  The more knowledge that one acquires, the better one can face a challenge head-on.

For memory improvement

When you read books, you have to recall an array of characters, their backgrounds, history, and the nuances that are included throughout every story. Reading regularly enables you to remember these components of stories with relative ease. Every new memory created in your brain develops new brain pathways that strengthen the existing ones. The whole process eventually leads to long-term memory recall capability.