# 🐌 Is Reading Fiction a Waste of Time?  Author:: Slow Growth ## Highlights > It turns out that reading fiction is CrossFit for the brain because it forces us to form connections between the material and our own lives. This exercise in imagination boosts our [counterfactual reasoning](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=0a1b98cb2e&e=ce4089d6fe) and [critical thinking](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=748668d6a7&e=ce4089d6fe) capabilities. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qskdvhb09cc68pewja3ye)) > Reading fiction can also melt away stress. A study conducted at [The University of Sussex](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=aba64aa3aa&e=ce4089d6fe) found that it reduced stress by **68%** , making it more effective than tea, music, or a stroll outside. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qsq7qg1x35sfsr1dmz93g)) > It can also [deepen your empathy](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=671d1da53f&e=ce4089d6fe) . The more engrossed you are in a story, the higher your potential for empathy as you experience the world as someone with a different gender, culture, age, race, and more. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qswbqt8jxj5zyb1m74adv)) --- Title: 🐌 Is Reading Fiction a Waste of Time? Author: Slow Growth Tags: readwise, articles date: 2024-01-30 --- # 🐌 Is Reading Fiction a Waste of Time?  Author:: Slow Growth ## AI-Generated Summary Hey Nicole — With the new year swiftly approaching, we’re stoked to announce a little something special: the 2023 Slow Growth Challenge! ## Highlights > It turns out that reading fiction is CrossFit for the brain because it forces us to form connections between the material and our own lives. This exercise in imagination boosts our [counterfactual reasoning](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=0a1b98cb2e&e=ce4089d6fe) and [critical thinking](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=748668d6a7&e=ce4089d6fe) capabilities. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qskdvhb09cc68pewja3ye)) > Reading fiction can also melt away stress. A study conducted at [The University of Sussex](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=aba64aa3aa&e=ce4089d6fe) found that it reduced stress by **68%** , making it more effective than tea, music, or a stroll outside. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qsq7qg1x35sfsr1dmz93g)) > It can also [deepen your empathy](https://slowgrowth.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7a3184aef682d9c93b341f12&id=671d1da53f&e=ce4089d6fe) . The more engrossed you are in a story, the higher your potential for empathy as you experience the world as someone with a different gender, culture, age, race, and more. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gp6qswbqt8jxj5zyb1m74adv))