5 Reasons You Should Read More Romance this New Year from Sherri Goodman

I have a guest author stopping by today - Sherri Goodman. She'd written a great article about why you should read more romance this new year, and I couldn't agree more! I can't get enough of romance myself.
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January is here and we all know what that means—time for another New Year’s resolution. But as Forbes notes, only 8 percent of people actually achieve the New Year’s resolutions they set. If you haven’t already come up with something to try out in the new year, why not plan to start reading more? With the rise in popularity of e-books, there are literally thousands of options at your fingertips. And the written word offers perks you can’t find anywhere else—not even in that gym you vowed you would start going to last New Year. 

Reading Has Amazing Health Benefits

As any avid reader will tell you, diving into a good book has its rewards. Not only does reading do the obvious, like increase your vocabulary; it also boasts hidden health benefits, both physical and mental. According to Reader’s Digest, cracking open a (book's) spine can protect your brain from Alzheimer’s, give you more staying power on your morning run, and even land you that raise you’ve been wanting at work.

Romance Novels Can Boost Your Love Life

It makes perfect sense that reading about romance would put you in the mood for love. Adam & Eve writes here that reading steamy scenes from romance novels is a great way to boost your libido, whether you read the passages aloud to your partner or to yourself. By delving into the sexiest parts of the book, you can explore what turns you on most. Who knows, you may be surprised by which sexual fantasies arouse you. Also, inspiration from those scenes could even make their way into your next romp in the hay.

You’ll Be Less Stressed

Reading is proven to relieve tension, helping us to decompress and escape reality for a little while. According to Kumon, a 2009 study found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent. Romance novels work double-time on this front. Each page filled with flirtatious banter, displays of affection, and hot sex helps produce the chemicals in your body when aroused, and that will do even more to help you relax.  

Readers of Romance Have Stronger Social Skills

Bookworms have a reputation for being more on the shy side of the social disposition spectrum. While this may be true in some cases, ABC News reports here that romance readers may be better at empathy than anyone realized. The study responsible for producing the theory found women who were avid readers of romance novels correctly identified the emotions on actors’ faces when shown photographs than the women who did not frequently read romance. Because the romance genre is heavily focused on developing interpersonal relationships between characters, reading these novels can lead to stronger, more improved social skills.

It Will Put You in Touch with What You Really Want

The more you identify with the character in your book, the more likely you’ll be to experience the events that take place within the pages vicariously through that character. So, if a character happens to want to go back to college for a second degree, and you’ve been considering the same, her actions in the book could help you realize, and maybe even act on, your own dreams. The same goes for relationship goals. Reading about a fictional relationship in a romance novel can help put you in touch with what you want out of your own union, making you more capable of expressing those desires to your partner.

With so many great benefits to reading romance, there’s no better time than the New Year to jump into a new genre. The trick to forming a new habit (and making it stick) revolves around the details. Make it specific, make it realistic, and make it tangible. So set that resolution and head to the nearest bookstore (or computer)—you’ll be glad you did. 

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What a great post with lots of information from Sherri Goodman. I hope you add a little romance reading to your list of goals for 2015.

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About The Author

Sherri Goodman is a freelance writer with a passion for good coffee, the perfect set of wedges, and animals of all kinds.

Currently enjoying the single life, she’s always open to sharing her dating blunders and successes with readers. When she’s not working she’s likely reading books in a homemade pillow fort or hitting the trails for hiking with her 2 and 4-legged buddies.

You can reach Sherri on twitter:@sherrigoodlove