In this new era of anti-intellectualism, reading for pleasure seems like a foreign concept. I’ve noticed more and more of my classmates proudly state they “haven’t read a book since 8th grade” as if it's a badge of honor. And why should they read? After all, they know how: we all learned in kindergarten. Why should we have to keep reading?

As I’ve spent time this year researching the positive effects of literacy and access to education for women in various countries: India, Nepal, and Afghanistan, I’ve realized that I have neglected the importance of literacy in the United States. In a country with equal access to education between men and women, and in a country where reading is a basic skill most people learn in their life, a staggering 54% of adults still read below a 6th-grade level. A horrifying statistic, and if you’re anything like me, you’re immediately wondering how to save yourself from this fate. It’s simple: reading. The easiest way to combat illiteracy is by continuous reading throughout your adulthood. But that’s not the only incentive; in fact, reading can improve your life in more ways than one. Here are 4 reasons to break out those books!

1. Increases Literacy

As mentioned above, reading improves literacy (it seems obvious), but how? Through exposure to new vocabulary which you can apply as a more advanced communicator: both orally and written. Being literate is a skill that improves your personal and professional life tremendously. Regardless of whether you think you need to be able to read, you do!

The American Family Physician Journal states, “Studies have shown that patients with inadequate literacy have less health-related knowledge, receive less preventive care, have poorer control of their chronic illnesses, and are hospitalized more frequently than other patients.” Basic literacy skills also help people be able to comprehend and synthesize the nuances and challenges of fiscal responsibility and, therefore, lays a healthy foundation for individuals to understand their finances. Literacy allows you to understand confusing medical or legal jargon better so you can be an active participant in your health, politics, and finances.

2. Mental Stimulation

Reading improves your brain capabilities and enhances the quality of your thinking. By continuing to read throughout your life, you are helping your brain learn to visually and verbally process information better. Mental stimulation is proven to slow the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and what better way to work out your brain than reading?

3. Improves Mental Health

Doctors often advise reading as a regular part of a bedtime routine. Reading before sleep is a fantastic way to reduce stress in your life. However, the effects of reading are much more directly linked to mental health than that.

The characters and challenges the characters overcome in books may provide the reader with comfort and familiarity. It’s been proven that reading can alleviate some of the feelings of sadness and isolation that may be a result of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

4. Pleasure

Lastly, it’s fun! If you haven’t found joy in reading yet, it’s most likely because you haven’t found what you enjoy reading. You will feel the benefits of reading by reading anything from movie scripts to comics to trashy romance novels. Try taking up reading, and I promise, you will better off for it.