Hey everyone! Today, I want to share with you three powerful reasons why you should start reading books today. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or someone who wants to start out, these reasons might inspire you to fall in love with reading all over again. Let’s dive in!

Reason number one: Mental Fitness.

Think of reading like a workout for your brain. Just like exercising keeps your body in shape, reading keeps your mind sharp and active. It helps you stay focused, boosts your memory, and even makes it easier to learn new things. Plus, keeping your brain active with reading can help lower the risk of memory problems as you get older, like Alzheimer’s. So, every time you pick up a book, you’re doing something good for your mind!

Reason number two: Stress Relief

Reason number two: Stress Relief. Let’s face it—life can get pretty stressful sometimes. One of the best ways to relax and clear your mind is by getting lost in a good book. Reading helps you escape from your worries and lets you focus on something more enjoyable. Even just a few minutes of reading can calm you down. It’s like a little vacation for your mind, without having to leave your house.

Reason number three: A book is your best friend

And now, for the most special reason — Reason number three: A book is your best friend. Think about it. when you read a book, you can talk to it, share your thoughts, laugh, cry, and find comfort within its pages.

When you read, you’re not just exploring the author’s world; you’re having a conversation with a friend who shares their knowledge, dreams, and stories with you. That’s why books are so much more than words on paper—they’re mentors, and lifelong friends that help you grow. Books are my best friends; the characters and the authors feel like friends I can turn to whenever I need support or inspiration. These friends have diverse life experiences and are masters in different fields, offering limitless possibilities of connection and learning. yes, it is unlimited possibilities to make a new friend. something that isn’t possible in the real world.

Example 1:

More than two years ago, I experienced a medical episode that led me to read a portion of a book exploring the deeper meaning of illness. After reading it, I was overwhelmed by a relief and appreciation, bursting into tears. I realized that illness isn’t just something to be avoided; instead, if we must face it, we can view it as an opportunity for profound transformation in our lives. The words I encountered deeply encouraged me and offered a new perspective on life. In my heart, I found myself engaging in a dialogue with the author, asking, “Is this really true? Wow. It is so great for me to experience this! Thank you so much for this deep encouragement.”

Example 2:

More than 20 years ago, I still remember the excitement of reading a book. I was at a hair salon. My hair was being done by a stylist, which takes almost two hours. I read a Korean book about the life of Jeong Yak Yong, a scholar from 18th-19th century Korea, a prominent Korean scholar and was known for his contributions to Korean literature and philosophy.He was exiled to an island, and during his exile, he read extensively, published many works, and nurtured capable disciples and students. He has remained in my heart ever since. Whenever I hear his name, I visualize him sitting in a small room, reading a book, undisturbed by anything around him. He feels like an old friend. Even though we don’t meet often, I know and imagine he is doing well, engaged in his unique signature behaviors and activities.

Example 3:

Last year, I read a book called Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. The author has become like a friend in my mind. I can almost hear him saying, ‘Hey, you need to allocate a percentage of your income to four different bank accounts: profit, owner’s compensation, taxes, and operating expenses. Are you keeping up with that?’ He feels like a friend in my mind, someone with real business expertise.

Example 4:

A book I read now is the Korean novel Uncanny Convenience Store written by Kim Ho-Yeon. The story revolves around a homeless man who begins working at a convenience store owned by a retired schoolteacher. The characters in this novel become like friends to me. Whenever I miss reading this book for a day, I find myself wanting to call them to ask, “So, what happened? How are you doing?” as if they were real people. Because of this connection, I often choose to pick up a book and read instead.

Conclusion

So there you have it—my top three reasons to start reading books today: for your mental fitness, stress relief, and because a book can be your best friend.

If you’d like to see how reading has made a difference in my own life, be sure to check out video below where I talk about the benefits of reading in my everyday life. Let’s share our reading journeys together. Happy reading, everyone!

Video Links

Why you should read books today

‘Read with me’ at my backyard

I read 25 books. Here is what happened.