Why Introverts Love Reading

The benefits of reading are widespread and relatively common knowledge for most. From the time people are born, their parents begin reading bedtime stories to help them wind down. As they grow up, schools require significant amounts of reading to acquire new knowledge, and adults read either for enjoyment or continued learning.

No matter which way reading is looked at, the benefits are noticeable. For introverts especially, reading offers some incredible advantages that can help them recharge and relax. In general, introverted people enjoy spending time alone, reflecting, and productively using their minds.

Reading a book has the ability to incorporate all three of these behaviors neatly into one package. Below are some of the specific reasons that introverts love reading so much.

It Lowers Stress Levels

When stress levels are heightened, one of the best courses of action is to take care of oneself and spend time engaging in a relaxing activity. Reading has been shown to lower stress levels by creating an escape from the realities within a person's day-to-day life. Especially with specific genres, like fiction, introverts can enjoy spending time inside the mind of a character rather than themselves.

Another important consideration is the need to detach oneself from some of the worldwide concerns that affect society lately. A great example of this is switching out watching the news for a light-hearted book.

Whereas watching the news or engaging in conversation can raise an introvert’s heart rate, reading can actually lower it. Reading can help an introvert escape the sometimes chaotic aspects of their daily lives and spend time in a stressor-free situation.

It’s A Solo Activity

This one goes without saying, but reading does tend to be a solo activity in most scenarios. Even a book club involves reading independently and sharing thoughts on the book at a later time. Because of this, it is a perfect activity for introverted people.

Spending time alone with no distractions from others is vital for an introvert to recover from a social outing. When someone that is introverted does not get enough recovery time by themselves, they may begin to become irritable, stressed, or uncomfortable.

The average introvert needs roughly 5-6 hours per day to be alone. This is a relatively significant amount of time that could be spent doing a variety of activities. Many introverts choose to read during this time frame simply because of the fact that it can be done alone.

It Improves Communication Skills

In some cases, introverts can simultaneously suffer from social anxiety. Even if they do not, they may find themselves feeling avoidant when it comes to conversations withothers. This could stem from a fear of embarrassment or a lack of confidence in their communication skills.

Reading promotes higher confidence in speaking as conversations between characters are absorbed. Different books offer diverse conversations with various styles of people or character traits. Being able to observe these varying conversations can help introverts feel confident in their ability to communicate with others that they may have been previously hesitant about. They can derive inspiration from strong-willed characters that can communicate effectively and use that newfound knowledge moving forward.

Additionally, those that read books regularly tend to have a more extensive vocabulary and stronger speaking skills than those who do not. This can be a gamechanger for introverts as they navigate social situations with confidence.

Introverts Love To Learn

Gaining new knowledge from reading is a common experience, regardless of the genre of the book. Introverts have a love of learning novel information and processing it independently. Even the most relaxed book genres can offer tidbits of information that introverts can reflect on and store.

The desire to think deeply is what fuels most introverts to enjoy reading so much. Reading a text involves significant work from the brain in order to process the information.

They can increase their confidence in themselves by learning about new things and potentially exploring areas or subjects that interest them without engaging in a conversation. The power that reading has in terms of learning is astounding, making it an activity of choice for many introverts.

Books Can Be Relatable

Sometimes expressing feelings or sharing their innermost thoughts can be difficult for introverts. This can result in the sense of isolation or decreased relatability.

Reading any sort of book exposes introverts to characters or people that may offer some relatable thoughts or behaviors that can reduce this feeling of loneliness. One book, in particular, titled Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come, shows introverts what it’s like to say yes to social outings for an entire year. The title alone has the power to make some introverts feel comforted in that they are not alone in this feeling.

The relatability of books can also be extended to an inner dialogue that does not relate to introversion whatsoever. This could be something as simple as relationship problems, career-related issues, or family struggles.

Authors that share problem-solving through their characters can inspire hope or motivation in those who read their books. For introverts that resist sharing their problems with others or avoiding hard conversations, this can improve their mental well-being.

It Can Boost Creativity

Introverts are naturally creative people. They love to dream and fantasize independently, which can often manifest into some of the most incredible creations. Because they do not feel the same pull to experience new situations with others, they can spend time reading and gaining experiences through their book of choice.

The situations or encounters they read about could serve as inspiration for future projects that can lead to further fulfillment. Reading also promotes a higher level of imagination, which introverts thrive on.

Their ability to visualize the conversations or interactions they are reading about can be entertaining as well as exciting. Being able to take a backseat to observe rather than converse is important for introverts, and reading regularly supplies this opportunity.

It Can Spread New Information

It can also promote a feeling of open-mindedness that may not come naturally to an introvert. For many, it is easier to remain in a safe space, such as their home, and avoid any novel scenarios.

When this happens, there is often a hole in their understanding of newer things or ideas. If introverts can’t gain this understanding through experiences, they can do so through reading.

The more an introvert reads, the more they are exposed to, and therefore, the more they become knowledgeable about.

Conclusion

Introverts’ innate love for reading stems from a variety of reasons that ultimately allow them to feel more rested and fulfilled. While engaging in social behaviors is essential to exercise communication skills as well as form or maintain relationships, solo activities that require no communication are arguably even more important for introverted people.

Grabbing a good book and spending some time alone is a great way to recharge their social battery and get them geared up for their next outing with others.