Humans engage in more than a dozen activities which can translate to happiness.
You can watch your favorite shows on the TV or binge on your favorite social media contents.
In some cases, it may not involve listening to sounds or watching TV, it could be by simply reading a book.
For many individuals who do not socialize as much as others, reading is a method of keeping their minds busy and entertained.
Studies have shown that reading can make a perfect substitute for meditation.
For an avid reader, it may not come as a surprise to them that reading books can make one happy, as they have always used reading books as a method is self-meditation for most of their lives.
According to a report by The New Yorker, as well as several reports published in 2006, 2009, and 2011, it was revealed that whenever people read about specific experiences, they display stimulation within the same neurological regions as when they go through that experience themselves.
It has also been proven that people who consume a lot of fictional books tend to become better empathizers.
Another way to put it is people who read quite a lot of books are better at understanding other people’s experiences, which can play an important role in making their lives more interesting and easier. This is in addition to the fact that children who grow around many books tend to become smarter.
Another study focused on the benefits of reading found that it can bring g down stress levels by a whopping 68%.
The next time you feel stressed, just grab a book.
It is interesting that reading a book has been shown to be more effective and works a lot faster than going for a walk or listening to some music.
However, this is not set in stone, as we are remarkably different in many ways. In fact, if reading does not help you relive your stress, then maybe music might just be what you need.
There is almost an endless list of things that reading can do to help us live happier lives.
Many pieces of research have proven that reading a book before you go to bed can actually help improve your sleep.
If you have trouble sleeping and you do not want to get hooked on medication, you can try reading a book. In the UK, reading books have been prescribed as a method of treating depression. According to a UK study, “21 percent less likely to experience feelings of depression.”
Many book lovers do a great job of expressing how much they love to read and how reading helps them experience happiness through imagination. They often claim that reading has the power to put you in a trance, taking you to a whole new dimension that is far beyond reality.
Stephen King, the author of several bestsellers such as The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist, The Shining – just to mention a few, wrote in On Writing: Memoire of the Craft “books are a uniquely portable magic.”