Reading, a Good Habit

Reading is one of the best qualities that a person can possess. Books are known to be the best friend of a person for a reason. Reading contributes in a big way in building an individual’s confidence, apart from helping reduce stress, and puts him or her in a better mood. Once a person starts reading books and makes it a regular habit, he or she will eventually get addicted to it. Reading is the best kind of refreshment a person needs, especially amid a hectic life schedule. So no matter how busy one gets, one should not forget to make time for books. There was a time when children across the globe used to spend a lot of time reading books outside their school syllabus.

Generations of people grew up as children who would exchange books among themselves, borrow books from libraries, save pocket money to buy books, and look forward to receiving books as birthday gifts or as prizes in various kinds of competitions. With the advent of television, and subsequently with the arrival of various kinds of social media, books have been suddenly pushed to the background. Children today hardly get books as gifts and prizes. With the absence of books as gifts, children are being compelled to spend most of their spare time with social media. Yes, one can also read books through the digital medium. But then, the fun of reading a book in the printed form is definitely absent in digital form. Moreover, with teachers, parents and elders no longer considering as worthwhile giving books to children, the latter are increasingly pushed into a situation where they are compelled to remain glued to social media.

While a section of parents today have started complaining that children have stopped reading, the reality is that most parents today have failed in their duty to help children develop the habit of reading books. A random survey would easily reveal that the majority of parents have not bought a book for children in past several years, not to speak of buying one for themselves. It is important, particularly for parents and teachers to always keep in mind the reasons why reading is a good habit. One, reading helps in shaping a person’s character to a great extent. It boosts confidence and personality. A person who reads will approach life differently. Reading enhances social skills as well. Two, it is common sense that reading books adds knowledge and imparts education since childhood days. Be it fiction or non- fiction, one gets to learn a great deal from books. A person is exposed to the outer world through reading, which in turn helps him or her to acquire sensibility about worldly topics. Three, reading improves vocabulary and communication skills. A person who reads, comes across many new phrases, words and usages, with which he or she will eventually get accustomed to it. Hence a person will have an improved vocabulary both in communication and writing.

He or she will also get acquainted with perfect usage of grammar and language. Four, ample reading stimulates a person’s mental health. It enhances the power of imagination and boosts creativity. It also helps to write an innovative piece, hence developing writing skills. Five, reading, they say, provides peace of mind. A book puts a person in better mood and relaxes the mind and soul. At the end of a hectic stressful day, all a person needs is a cup of tea and a good book to be at peace. Reading is a better stress buster than any medical therapy. There are some days when a person feels low and there is no one to share with. Well books are there for his or her rescue. They help overcome depression and become the best companion of a person. Six, journeys for long hours, or a long vacation from work can be pretty boring in spite of all the social sites. Books come in handy and release a person from boredom. Finally, books are the best medicine to win the battle against insomnia. Reading a book before bedtime thus helps a person to sleep and dream as well. As Francis Bacon had once rightly said — Reading maketh a full man.