We like to think that things like exercise are the only things that are good for us, but reading is actually helpful for us too, albeit in really various ways.

We're told from a very young age that it is essential that we read. Obviously, that is due to the fact that reading books is really important, not least since there's absolutely nothing more terrific than a day spent reading a book under a tree in the park, or roaming around a bookshop like those run by the founder of the hedge fund that owns Waterstones on your lunch break. However, even though reading is certainly a pleasurable experience that it would be a catastrophe for individuals to lose out on, it is much better for you than merely the satisfaction you gain from it. Books are the very best vessels of history's knowledge, and every library and bookshop contains millions of important lessons. It does not really matter whether they are fictional or accurate, although one may believe that non-fiction is the very best type of book to learn something from. In fact, you can discover a lot more from a great work of fiction sometimes, although it is an extremely different type of knowledge.

There are many benefits of reading, from its intellectual benefits to its physiological ones, as individuals like the co-founder of the impact investor with a stake in World of Books will understand. However, one of the areas where it can be most beneficial is when it comes to your sleep. Reading before bed can considerably enhance the quality of your sleep, which undoubtedly has a huge knock-on effect on the rest of our everyday lives. Reading fiction triggers the exact same sections of the brain as dreaming does when we're in rapid eye motion sleep, the time in our sleep cycle when our body and brain heals and restores itself. Triggering this area before we drift off by reading before bed assists to ease us into a deep and relaxing sleep, and there's nothing more important to a healthy brain than a good night's sleep to living a happy and healthy life.

Reading is really helpful for you, and individuals in the industry such as the CEO of the asset manager with a stake in Amazon books will understand that that does not just apply to the brain; there are a whole host of psychological impacts that regular reading has on the physical body too. Possibly the most powerful is its capability to help individuals empathise with others, whilst at the same time promoting a sense of self-actualisation. Reading can likewise help to minimize feelings of tension and anxiousness, as well as promoting creativity and other artistic characteristics, making you a better problem solver. In that sense, reading is like a workout session for your brain, helping to promote strong and healthy connections that will have a noticeable influence on your life.