Why You Should Read More Fiction

Reading non-fiction books be like

Why You Should Read/Read More Often Long term mental health benefits ● Less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's & Dementia ● Improved memory and lower risk of memory loss ● Bibliotherapy is a recognized therapeutic approach that involves reading specific texts to support individuals facing mental health challenges like depression & anxiety *People who read *People who don’t read

Why You Should Read/Read More Often Stress Relief ● A study conducted at the University of Sussex found that reading ○ Can reduce stress levels by up to 68% ○ Is more effective than other stress reduction methods such as listening to music or taking a walk ● Similar to mindful meditation

Why You Should Read/Read More Often Improve Cognitive Abilities ● Creates new synapses in your brain, fostering cognitive growth and enhancing your problem-solving abilities ● Expands vocabulary ● Improves focus & concentration

Why You Should Read More Fiction Develop Empathy ● Understanding someone else’s experience ● Exposure to different perspectives ● Improving of theory of mind

Why You Should Read More Fiction Boost Imagination & Creativity ● A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that readers of literary fiction, compared to readers of non-fiction or popular fiction, performed better on tests measuring empathy and imagination. ● Studies, such as those outlined in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, have found positive correlations between reading fiction and measures of creativity, including divergent thinking. Reading fiction appears to stimulate cognitive processes that support creative problem-solving.

Why You Should Read More Fiction Relatable Characters ● Feel validated and affirmed ● Gain insights into your own emotions and thought processes ● Self-improvement through introspection

Some Personal Tips ● Read physical books ● Read the first page ● Read what you enjoy ● Don’t stress on quantity ● Listening to white noise or pleasing & non-distracting sounds/music

Some Recommendations Sci-Fi Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Klara and The Sun Coming of Age The Catcher in The Rye Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki & His Years of Pilgrimage

Some Recommendations Horror Salem’s Lot Crime Mystery The Murder of Roger Ackroyd