Reading non-fiction before bed makes us project into the future, and increases our anxiety levels.

Hearing a good story makes us remember information for a long period of time. Studies show that regular readers have better memory, and a 32 percent lower rate of mental decline.

Reading fiction creates activity in the left temporal cortex region of the brain, which is associated with language.

Reading makes a large majority of people feel good, more satisfied with life.

Imagining stories activates the particular regions inside our minds that facilitate better understanding of others and seeing our surroundings with a new perspective, equivalent to putting oneself in someone else's shoes.

Reading fictional tales with diverse characters makes a reader more tolerant and open-minded towards marginalized groups.

Reading fiction can help us explore many ideas of complex emotions, change and other unknown factors that are missing from our lives.

With just six minutes of silent reading, a person can lower their heart rate and ease the tension in their muscles by about 68 percent.

Fictional writings are diverse, uncertain and ambiguous. This leads to creating the ideal environment for creativity inside our minds. It decreases our need for cognitive closure, strengthening our mind.