6 Research Based Benefits to Reading Fiction || Improve your life with reading

Matthew digs into the research to find out what the best benefits are for reading fiction, and why it may actually have more benefits than reading nonfiction. Achieve peace, lose your stress, build your vocab, gain empathy, and be a more rounded person - all from reading a bit of light fiction.

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#BenefitsOfReading #ReadFiction #WhyRead

[MatthewSchaefer]

Do you read more nonfiction, or fiction? And why?

[andrewcraig]

My Mum was a teacher and gave me this gift from very early on in life. These studies you mentioned are absolutely fascinating, especially the Harry Potter and heart rate /meditation ones.

[fraser]

can confirm it makes you sleep better. calms down the mind and moves you into a different world. the external world is on pause.

[swiftypopty]

The first time I dabbled in reading for fun, I went straight for non-fiction and picked up "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens." It was a great book and all, but after a while, reading non-fiction kinda started to feel like a drag. That all changed when I discovered my first horror fiction book, "Hidden Pictures" by Jason Rekulak. Let me tell you, I was hooked. Mixing it up between fiction and non-fiction books is the way to go. You get the best of both worlds - you can learn useful stuff from non-fiction books and still have a good time with fiction. Unlike movies, watching screens for too long can have some negative effects on your brain. So, it's good to have a balanced diet of books and movies.

In conclusion, don't limit yourself to one genre - branch out and try different types of books. Trust me, your brain will thank you.

[teddyjones]

Usually I am all for these A vs B type questions. For example, "what would win in a fight, a grizzly bear or a tiger?" is an extremely valid and relevant question that should be examined critically. However, "nonfiction vs fiction" is not. I am sorry to give the extremely boring answer of both are excellent, but it's true. As you laid out fiction is excellent for vocabulary and building empathy. Historical fiction is especially great since you can follow characters and their story thereby improving your empathy and understanding of the "human condition" (whatever the hell that is) while learning about real historical events. I'm thinking books like "Kite Runner" and "Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet." But at the same time nonfiction is indispensable. You won't get as much detailed information about world history, politics, and current issues from reading novels as much as nonfiction. And when I say "nonfiction" I don't mean mother^&$ing self-help books. My god man that isn't even real nonfiction since most of what those hacks write aren't even facts. Nonfiction improves your understanding of the world and improves general knowledge. Furthermore, nonfiction tends to be more dense, and presents logical arguments. Paying attention long enough and analyzing hard enough to follow said arguments builds focus and critical thinking. And while fiction might expose you to all sorts of esoteric and archaic words since fictional texts employ more diverse settings across space and time, nonfiction texts will put you face to face with more "academic" words one must know to understand newspapers, scientific journal articles, and legal texts. Finally, a lot of the big "$100" words you find in nonfiction texts are required learning for the GRE and GMAT.

[Anna-ntlw]

I primarily read non fiction I love truth what can I say. Given my life history and experiences I really needed help with trauma and healing. So I was seeking help from books not reading for pleasure. I figured im so busy that I have a hard time finding time to read in general running my own business ect so reading fiction just seems like not the best use of my time. Especially when your in survival. However I recently went to a personal development seminar a few years ago and for homework we were told to mix things up and create new Nero pathways by reading a book that we are not used too. SO i was challenged to read fiction so i end up reading memoirs. I will try on reading fiction for the sake of creating new Nero pathways! I think the challenge with people in general is to just get them to start reading period. I think reading is a lost art in todays time. Thanks for the insight

[allanday]

Good use of research to support your assertions. I was surprised by your findings. Great post!

[OGPimpin]

I think both are definitely necessary and make you more well rounded.

[contrabandresearch]

I read mostly non-fiction, because I'm very picky about fictional stories. If there is a character or even I sentence I don't like, I want to completely stop reading the book. I I might do this because I read slowly and don't want to be stuck with a book for possibly months. But sometimes I stick with the book and it turns out way better than I expected.

[disdainw]

i almost never read fiction book before idk why it’s so hard to remember characters name, imagining a scene. Everything felt so bland. I’ll try picking it up again tonight.

[MargaritaMagdalena]

How on earth can nonfiction be trash? How is theory, a memoir or factual information trash?

[washimbond]

Main observation is what you read. If you read Serial killer fiction that has another level effects on your brain.

[juniorqindes]

Researched based doesn’t mean proven or even “has evidence of.” It doesn’t even provide corrilation between anything except research and proof.

[iphoneUser]

The irony of Harry Potter helping with inclusivity.

[jimforty]

After you said inclusivity marginalized groups refugees you're lost me sorry Bud