Why I do a reading palate cleanse after finishing a business book

I read a lot of non-fiction books. Topics like personal finance, investing, networking and productivity are constantly being introduced to my brain. I love them. They have completely changed my business, how I interact with other entrepreneurs and how profitable I am. But I am also a frequent flyer in the fiction section. After I read a non-fiction book, I have a little palate cleanse, and consume a fiction book or two. Just like a sorbet after the fish course in a fancy restaurant, some fantasy or romance does the same thing for my mind. And here’s why…

Prevents Burnout - Non fiction books, especially those that are numbers heavy, require more cognitive lifting. If I were to only consume finance, I would eventually burn out on consuming so much heavy information. With some fiction sprinkled in, it’s like a little sweet treat after a long day.

Stress Reduction - Similar to preventing burnout, getting absorbed in a story is a healthy form of escape. It can put your brain into a more meditative, and relaxed state. It can lower your heart rate and also improve your sleep. 

Sparks Creative Thinking - Reading fiction books introduces us to open ended scenarios, which force our mind to wander and wonder. Helping to sharpen our creative problem-solving skills in the real world.

Enhanced Empathy - Research published in journals like Psychology Today shows that fiction expands your "Theory of Mind", for us non-science people, that means the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, boosting emotional intelligence. 

Better Communication - Frequent exposure to rich narratives naturally expands your vocabulary and gives you a better grasp of communication and storytelling. Side note: Children who read comic books tend to have a larger vocabulary, due to being introduced to unique words that most children’s books don’t include. 

Improved Social Skills - Studies from Princeton and other universities found that fiction readers score higher on interpersonal sensitivity tests. They are generally better at reading non-verbal cues and interpreting social situations.

It’s Fun - For the same reason we go to the movies or watch reality TV, it’s entertaining.  Do I think the dragons or the 7’ tall fae warrior are real, of course not, but they’re fun, and sometimes that's enough

How do you mix and match your reading genres?  I’d love to hear your favorite fiction and non-fiction reads.