I know that many people are busy, and reading is not always at the top of their list.
However, if you want to be successful in life, then it's important to read regularly. In this blog post I will cover why you should start reading more often and how often is the right amount for your lifestyle.
How many days a week should you read?
You should read around 5 days a week. Reading everyday isn't recommended, because your brain needs to rest to better absorb new information.
Why should you read 5 days a week, and not 7?
The reasons not to read every day are that it will take away from your mental and physical health. You need to have a balance between work, family, friends, stress management, and other hobbies you enjoy in order to be successful in life.
If you are reading every day then that means this time is being taken up by reading which leaves less for the rest of your responsibilities.
In addition to that, your brain has to rest for two days out of the week (not 2 days in a row). The brain becomes fatigued and will not be able to process as efficiently which can lead to a decrease in your learning ability or you might have trouble remembering the things that you read.
How long should you read a day?
I recommend 30 minutes a day, but no more than an hour. Reading in excess can take away from your physical health. Like I told you before, balance is really important.
Reading at least 20-30 minutes a day can be done with minimal effort, and it will have a positive impact on your mental health, too!
For those of you who are unable to read for 30 minutes or more each day, consider reading during your lunch break at work. Or before bedtime when the brain is tired from the day.
If you find yourself being able to only read every other day because of time restraints then try an audiobook as well so that you're still getting some good quality literature even if it not every day as most people recommend.
How many books a month will you read in this tempo?
The average book has around 350 pages in it, so if you're reading 30 minutes a day for 5 days, and around 20 pages per day, you will read a book a month on average.
If you're reading for a total of 20 minutes each day, then it would take you around an extra week to read the same number of books at this time. So if your goal is to finish more books than others and not just have a good quality of literature life, aim for 30-60 minutes per day 5 days a week.
What is the best time to read a book?
The best time to read a book is when you're in the mood. This is a suggestion for those who are reading it 5 days a week, but if you read books according to your moods then maybe there's not enough time during the day that will be good for reading.
There might be some people who like to read at night before bed because they find it relaxing and calming, or others may want to start their morning off with something engaging and interesting.
There really isn't an answer as each person has different interests so make sure you choose what works best for yourself!
In addition, studies have shown that even though certain times of the day may work better than others depending on your personality type, research showed that readers were more successful at finishing a book if they read it at the same time every day.
One study found that reading early in the morning was more successful for readers who preferred to read before bedtime, and those who liked to start their mornings with something interesting were better off starting as soon as they woke up.
Conversely, readers of books later in the evening were less successful at finishing their book if they read it later than 11 pm.
What are the benefits that you will gain by reading books 5 days a week?
- Sharper memory
Reading clears and refreshes the mind, especially if done in short sessions throughout the day. The more often we do this, it seems to make our memories stronger because recall improves with practice. Not only does active engagement help us remember what we read, but it also helps us process information faster than those who don't read as much (or at all).
- Increased vocabulary
By exposing yourself to words outside of your own world and experiences, you're able to have access to new thoughts and ideas that can trigger different perspectives on any given topic or experience, which ultimately makes you smarter! And smarter people are usually better at reading people, which is a valuable skill in any situation.
- New ideas
New ideas can benefit you in many ways. They can open up your mind to new perspectives, provide clarity and focus for decision making, help you explore different paths of career development or they might even bring about a creative idea that was never before considered.
- Better daily routine
If you will read 5 days a week, at the same time every day, you will form a routine that is beneficial for your mind and body. Reading at the same time every day will help you improve concentration, which in turn helps with memory, problem-solving skills, and decision making.
It also benefits your mental health because it provides an escape from reality by immersing yourself in someone else's story or the world.
I hope I helped answer some questions about why regularly reading will help improve other aspects of your life besides just learning new words, stay tuned!
