5 Reasons Kids Who Read are the Happiest

5 Reasons Readers are the Happiest

Reading is not just a habit, it is a way of life. Those who haven't ever enjoyed a book, it would be hard to believe that there are people who would rather stay in bed and read, than go out. But for those who love a good book, this is a very probable scenario, especially when it comes to books that engross them. Few things can compete with the charm of a well written book. A recent large-scale study by the National Literacy Trust, UK, based on a survey of 49,047 school children aged 8 to 18, has concluded that children who love reading make the happiest children and they also had the highest levels of mental well-being. Here are 5 reasons why it is worth encouraging your kid to read:

World of Reading

1. Travellers need to step out, readers don't: Readers have whole worlds at their disposal, not just a single world that we are used to seeing around us, but also thousands of others that are imaginary but just as enticing. Their imagination is their only limit and they can travel to the farthest of corners and know more about the places than actual travellers, and that too without moving an inch. That is the power of reading!

Reading Relaxes

2. It is a very effective stress buster: There isn't anything that a good read cannot cure, so what's a bit of blues. Research has shown that reading even for just 6 minutes eases muscular tension. So, next time you are frazzled, all you need to do is pick up a book to cuddle with. Kids are also very prone to stress due to various reasons, such as peer pressure. Reading calms their nerves and prevents anxiety from taking root early on in life.

Reading enhances Empathy

3. Reading makes you a better person: How on earth could a few lines of text do that?! Studies have shown that reading literary fiction enhances empathy. Kids who read have better emotional intelligence as reading is all about understanding relationships between characters and offers different perspectives that they can use in real life situations.

Reading is pleasure without a big price tag

4. You don't have to break the bank to feel you've accomplished something: If you go shopping when you are feeling low, you might want to give your child a taste of something that offers a sense of accomplishment that is comparable to or better but at a fraction of the price - introduce them to reading. You don't have to spend much money, you could join a library and feel productively busy for hours at end.

Reading helps you sleep better

5. Reading is a great sleep inducer: If you have never fallen asleep while reading, you don't know what bliss is. If you have trouble falling asleep, choose a slow but engrossing book . Chances are you will dose off before you get to turn a couple of pages. As reading takes your mind off things that are bothering you at a sub-conscious level, it puts you to sleep better than any thing else.

#reading #readers #happy #kids #curiosity

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