We live in the age of distraction – it’s hard to concentrate and there’s no space to think. Yet if we can carve out regular time to read and think it will do us the power of good.

Gregory Ciotti outlines several of The Psychological Benefits of Writing which include

• writing as therapy
• writing to help you handle hard times
• writing to develop gratitude
• writing to process ideas
• writing to learn
• writing to scale your leadership

Reading on the other hand brings similar benefits but it matters what you read. In other words read a book not your Facebook newsfeed. It’s the difference between deep and light reading. Susan Reynolds advocates fiction or poetry and switching off the TV to get your brain working and find some mental peace.

But it’s not just what you read but how you read. Don’t devour books and remember there are several ways to read a book!