How Reading Fiction Can Benefit You Self-Help Books Can’t Do It All Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly? GREATER EMPATHY When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. LESS STRESS AND BETTER SLEEP When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off. MORE COMFORTWITH UNCERTAINTY Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. GREATER HAPPINESS Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one
Right before COVID-19 struck, Karen Ruiz began working at New Frontier Immigration Law and never looked back. Before settling into her current position as Hillary’s executive assistant, Karen was a “do it all” employee with a wide range of tasks on her plate every day. She assisted reception with phone calls, collected payments in billing, translated during client consultations, and assisted in document translations — she was everywhere! Having had so many roles, Karen stated that she quickly learned just how valuable the core ethics and goals at New Frontier Immigration Law truly are. “When I first started working here, I didn’t really fully understand what I was getting myself into. I was an immigrant as a child, and I’m used to seeing my relatives struggle with not having the proper documentation to be here. It helps me understand them,” Karen explained. “Being a part of the team that takes the broken hearts of many and mends them back together as they overcome certain situations is extremely satisfying. New Frontier Immigration Law changes lives.” She continued, “When I used to translate for Hillary during client consultations, I had my eyes opened to the severity of some of the situations people are coming to us with. I am not a crier, but there are many situations that are very sad and tug at your heartstrings. To be able to make a difference in these people’s lives is a monumental thing for me.” “In my current role, I have to make sure that I am organized because if there is an oversight on my part, it affects the client directly. I take my job very seriously, and while it is stressful at times, the results at the end make all of it worth it,” Karen said. Karen is a mother to two teenagers and an older daughter. This year, her daughter made her a grandmother and Karen has really been enjoying her two-month-old grandson. In her free time, she loves spending time with her children and the new baby. “Sometimes I cannot believe that I am a grandmother. I just want to spend time with them all day long — it’s a beautiful thing,” Karen stated. We are extremely grateful for Karen, as her hard work and kind heart make New Frontier Immigration Law the right choice for many who are looking for their solution. As a part of the freedom team, Karen works to better the lives of others, one success at a time! The Spotlight Is on Karen Ruiz
survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives.
So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!
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