Everyone is reading less. U.S. literacy rates and reading proficiency have declined significantly. According to the National Assessment Governing Board, 54% of U.S. adults have a literacy level below the 6th-grade level, and roughly 45 million adults are considered functionally illiterate.
English teacher Mrs. Eccleston shares this sentiment, specifically explaining how with technology on the rise, people have been filling their free time up with different forms of entertainment.
“I think people, including LFHS students, are reading less because there are so many more options of things to do,” Mrs. Eccleston said.
Reading rates have been dropping since the early 2000’s, and most likely, will continue to fall. Yet, when we don’t read, we miss out on some significant health benefits.
Reduced stress
Reading, even just six minutes a day, can reduce stress levels by over two-thirds, according to The Pacific Health Group. Immersing yourself in a good book can act as a break from daily stressors. From my own personal experience, one of the best times to read is before bed. This gives your brain a moment to relax away from technology and makes falling asleep so much easier. Instead of scrolling on your phone for an extra 15 minutes, consider picking up a book.
Brain Health
Simply by reading a couple of pages, you are enhancing connectivity in your brain. When I started reading more, I found that it was easier to remember things, and I wasn’t faced with the typical brain fog I usually experienced. Increased gray matter from reading is proven to enhance areas in the brain like language processing, memory, and cognitive functioning. By reading a little each day, you do your brain a favor in the long run by slowing the progression of things like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Vocabulary and Communication Skills
When exposing yourself to new words in different contexts, you can build your vocabulary through contextual learning! Eccleston shares, “Reading provides critical thinking skills, vocabulary, language fluency, grammar fluency, without even trying you get all those things when you’re a reader.” Whatever type of reading it may be–books, magazines, newspapers—you introduce yourself to a broader range of vocabulary, compared to just spoken language. Speaking from experience, whether it was writing an essay for class–or just having a conversation–I found myself using new words I previously didn’t even know existed. Instead of not being able to find a word to describe something, I just knew it!
Empathy
Unexpectedly, reading can also increase empathy. Reading allows us to temporarily step into the shoes of a new narrator. By being exposed to new perspectives, it’s easier to understand others. Eccleston states, “What we’re losing when people don’t read is most importantly empathy and the ability to step into someone else’s world.” When we take the time to look at other outlooks, we allow ourselves to adopt new perspectives and find it less difficult to understand emotions other than our own.
Trying to find time to read in a schedule can be a challenge. But even just ten minutes is enough to make a significant difference. It may not feel fun now, but in the long run, it’ll be worth it!
