The Benefits of Reading Fiction
There’s nothing like making a warm cup of tea and reaching for your fiction book after a long day of work. Reading at the end of the day allows me to escape into an unrealistic world and build connections with the characters. I have found that reading fiction isn’t only a guilty pleasure, but has also improved my life in at least three ways.
The first way reading fiction has improved my life is that it gives me a chance to decompress from my day. I have built a nightly routine that includes reading for at least 30 minutes around 8:30 p.m. During these 30 minutes, I give myself permission to read a book that has nothing to do with productivity or new information. I let myself escape into a different reality, giving my mind some time to rest from a day full of critical thinking. This is a chance for my mind to get creative. This is an opportunity to imagine characters’ faces and mannerisms. This is a time for my mind to take a break from thinking about my daily responsibilities.
The second way reading fiction has improved my life is that it motivates me to have a productive day. Throughout the day I am eager to continue my book, especially if I left off on a cliffhanger, but if I don’t get through my to-do list, I know I’ll have to use the time I would usually dedicate to reading to complete the most urgent tasks. To prevent this from happening, I stay focused on completing my responsibilities by 8:30pm, so that I am able to find out how the cliffhanger is resolved.
The final way reading fiction has been beneficial is that I’m regularly exercising my brain. Reading regularly can be a protective factor against cognitive decline (Chang et al., 2021), because taking part in stimulating hobbies– such as reading– exercises multiple areas of the brain (Kweldiu, 2015).
Reading fiction books every night has greatly improved the quality of my life and it leaves me feeling less guilty than other ways of decompressing, like eating an extra serving of dessert. Next time you’re feeling stressed or tired at the end of a long day, I invite you to make yourself a warm tea and pick up your favorite book instead.
References
Chang, Y., Wu, I., & Hsiung, C. (2021). Reading activity prevents long-term decline in cognitive function in older people: Evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study. International Psychogeriatrics, 33(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220000812
Kweldju, S. (2015). Neurobiology research findings: How the brain works during reading. PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand 50., 125-142. Retrieved August 28, 2023 from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1088308 https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1088308
Gemma joined the Interactive Measurement Group in the Spring of 2021. During her time in the lab, she has learned how to analyze data in R, SPSS, and Jamovi, has learned advanced statistical techniques such as confirmatory factor analysis, and has led two poster teams who ultimately presented their research at conferences. She has also been involved in substantial leadership and mentoring. She has given multiple workshops, mentored other lab members formally and informally, and was our Lab Manager for a full year. Gemma graduated in the Spring of 2022 from UNLV with a B.A. in psychology and minors in neuroscience and addictions treatment. Gemma will be starting the UNLV M.S.W program in Fall 2024.