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My English is not a native language, so I apologize in advance for the grammar mistakes. I firmly believe that reading increases your intelligence, and I have proven that with my example. In elementary school, I was an extremely advanced child, who reads, thinks, understands and learns quickly. I wrote the best compositions in literature, I absorbed knowledge like a sponge in class, it was enough for me to read a lesson only once when I came home and get a high grade on the test. But why is that so? I didn’t know it then, but now I know it’s because of reading. I was a regular guest at my city library, so I read 150 to 200 pages every day, and so on for years. My imagination was so strong thanks to the books I read, I enjoyed creating in my head the world I was reading about. When I started high school, I discovered the world of computers and video games. So I stopped visiting my city library and reading and started playing video games with the same enthusiasm as I read. Year after year passed and I did not read a single book. One day I realized, while playing a video game, that my concentration level dropped significantly. I turned off the game and went for a walk by the river to think. What happened to me? Why is my concentration bad, why am I thinking slower, why am I talking slower than before, why am I not imagining anymore and why am I not dreaming anymore? I was in shock. I called my friend and told him my findings, and he replied that we were simply getting older. I couldn't accept it because I was only 25 years old, so I thought about what could be the cause. I quickly realized that the culprit for this was my lifestyle. I stopped playing video games, I started jogging and reading books again. In a healthy body, a healthy mind, I told myself. Reading the book for the first time after very long time was extremely difficult. I read the first 20 pages and realized that I remembered almost nothing. So I read the first 20 pages again. And again until I read them with understanding. I read the 150-page book with understanding in 5 days. After that first book, everything went easier. My mind was hungry for reading and learning again. I started reading every day and now after 1 year I can say that I have completely recovered my mind. I read, think, understand, learn and speak fast again. I have imagination again. I have dreams again. This is very important to me because I believe that our Creator also has an imagination. In order to create something, you must first fantasize about it. My message for the end would be - if you want greater intelligence of your mind, you have to practice it. And that exercise is reading. Read as much as you can, with understanding. Try to turn words from paper into a building block for the world you are creating. Because the purpose of your existence is to be creative creators. This is not a secret method according to its source, but it has become a secret because many people on this planet have forgotten it. Reading is knowledge (intelligence) and knowledge is power. - Taske

Thank you for your message!

This is a fantastic message, Taske, and sharing your experience makes it powerful. Thank you for doing that. And btw, your grammar is fine.

Hey! I definitely agree with your reasoning. I see similarities in my own life. Thankfully I got brought up to speed in University as an English Education double major. I had some questions.

1. Have you dropped video games altogether? I have been debating to what extent I want to drop them. I typically enjoy fantasy RPGs and am really looking forward to the strategy based BG3 game� Do you occasionally indulge in a favorite game genre or are you officially done with gaming?

2. How do you balance reading and exercise? I usually do pretty well for around half a year starting with the new year, but by September/October fall of irreparably until New Years roles around again.

3. What are some things you have tried?

I hope you see this. Thank you so much!

Hannah wrote: "Hey! I definitely agree with your reasoning. I see similarities in my own life. Thankfully I got brought up to speed in University as an English Education double major. I had some questions.

1. Ha..."

3. Hannah, diarize time/s to read and exercise daily - as you would business appointments and social engagements. Especially diarize exercise as this is the discipline most people grapple with when time and/or motivation are an issue.

No it doesn’t, because those watching you read control you with things you haven’t read yet and have an even lower chance of predicting in any way. Then, you’ll never really have the time to think about it all, depending.

Taske, I love the way you think!!

Lance, what a great idea to add reading and physical exercise to the daily planner! I think I will do that and also add my meditation time as that gets skipped sometimes as well. Thank you

I loved reading this, thank you for this.

Joyce wrote: "Lance, what a great idea to add reading and physical exercise to the daily planner! I think I will do that and also add my meditation time as that gets skipped sometimes as well. Thank you"

How's that new daily routine going Joyce? Well I hope.

Mark wrote: "No it doesn’t, because those watching you read control you with things you haven’t read yet and have an even lower chance of predicting in any way. Then, you’ll never really have the time to think ..."

Mark is this Greek? If so a translation would be appreciated thanks.

Lance, thanks for asking. It’s in the works but to be honest it’s not at 100% yet. Sometimes when it pops up on my phone calendar, I push it away for later and then I forgot about it. But it did get me started in the right direction!

Joyce wrote: "Lance, thanks for asking. It’s in the works but to be honest it’s not at 100% yet. Sometimes when it pops up on my phone calendar, I push it away for later and then I forgot about it. But it did ge..."

Joyce,

Oh dear...
It sounds like you're dragging the chain with your daily reading and exercise intentions, so this requires a change of tactics...
First, switch your planner from digital to hardcopy...
You could start by sticking a written reminder to your fridge door.

Failing that, I could post regular (say weekly) reminders here for a small fee... (Very negotiable).

If time's an issue, you can read and exercise simultaneously whilst peddling your exercycle, but reading NOT recommended when you're out jogging, pole-vaulting or slalom ski-ing.

Hope this helps?

I and my fellow Undergrounders hope and pray your next report is a little more encouraging...

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with reading and how it has impacted your cognitive abilities. Your experience is actually supported by scientific research, which has consistently shown that reading can improve various aspects of cognitive functioning, including language skills, vocabulary, attention, and memory.

Studies have found that reading can physically alter the brain, particularly in regions associated with language processing, comprehension, and imagination. In fact, researchers have found that the brains of avid readers show more connectivity between different regions, suggesting that reading can enhance neural connections and improve overall brain function.

Furthermore, reading can also have a positive impact on mental health, including reducing stress, increasing empathy, and improving overall well-being. In fact, studies have found that reading can be as effective as mindfulness meditation in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

So, it's no surprise that you experienced a decline in cognitive function when you stopped reading and shifted your focus solely to video games. However, it's encouraging to hear that you recognized the impact of your lifestyle and made changes to improve your cognitive health by returning to reading and other healthy habits.

Keep up the good work and continue to prioritize activities that promote cognitive and overall well-being! - Assisted by Chat GPT-3.5