Benefits Of Being A Bookworm by Riya Gautam

Do you feel insulted by being called a bookworm? It is time to change the perception.

It is stressful enough being a teenager or a youngster with so many hormones running through our system and planning for future without adding the worry of being labeled. It is an ongoing battle to fit in and establishing ourselves amongst our peers especially in high school and college and nobody wants to be categorized as the geek, nerd or bookworm- which seems to be the words that are perceived as social ostracization. What we do not understand is that reading makes us a better, smarter and healthier person. According to the studies done recently non-readers are more susceptible to develop neurological disorders than the people who read regularly. Results show that reading delays the onset of dementia. The people who are regularly involved in mental stimulation have the slower rate of the cognitive decline. Reading also helps with depression. 28% of the non-readers are more liable to report depression than the regular readers. Reading is one of the best ways of distressing. It is said that a good read prone to elevate your mood and excite brain to think, decreasing the level of day-to-day stress.

A single book at the right time can change our views dramatically, give a quantum boost to our knowledge, help us construct a whole new outlook on the world and our life. Isn’t it odd that we don’t seek those experiences more systematically.- Steve Leveen

The above words ring true for reading changes us fundamentally. It gives us a broader perspective of the world, the people in it, and their circumstances. The stories and the experiences shared in the words printed on a page gives us a much clear view of things which were incomprehensible for us when seen through a tunnel vision from our homes. We also become emotionally self-aware through reading. While reading we become mentally and emotionally connected to the book. There are some characters or situations that mirror our own, making us conscious of our own mental, emotional or psychological struggle. It seems almost therapeutic to see a character going through the same pain or hardship, someone with an identical situation, personality, and emotions like us. Their experiences become important lessons and inspiration for us. Bookworm is much stronger in visuals and knowledge.

As Bell Hook said, “Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books.”

Reading also helps with our relationships. Reading a fiction makes us sentient towards the state of affairs of others. We become more empathetic towards people because we are much more aware of the fact and figures as well as see and realize their emotional conflict. It is the feeling of kindred spirit that brings us closer and our bonds stronger. 30 minutes of reading every day can cause us better than hours spent in front of television, laptop or mobile. Reading while running on the treadmill or elliptical or while a small break is possible on a busy schedule. Instead of using paperbacks, use e-readers which are easier to carry. Reading fifteen pages, a newspaper, or articles daily is beneficial in the long run. So, all the bookworms should feel amazing as we are probably much smarter and healthier than the one who seems to be allergic to books. We are more in touch with ourselves and the world and better equipped to deal with day-to-day life than others.It does not mean we hole up in your room with a book and not come out. It is important to socialize for our all around development but you should not be embarrassed to be lost in the book than party all the time. It does not mean we hole up in your room with a book and not come out. It is important to socialize for our all around development but you should not be embarrassed to be lost in the book than party all the time. Riya Gautam is an aspirant intern of DailyBerry.