How reading diverse texts enhances critical thinking skills: Exploring the development of analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities

Abstract

Reading is an activity that is often done by many people in various situations, one of which is in their free time. Reading activities, especially during free time, not only function as entertainment but also have many psychological and emotional benefits. The purpose of this study is to explore the positive impact of reading in leisure time on a person's mental well-being. This study aims to discuss how reading habits can affect mental health, reduce stress, improve concentration, and enrich emotional insight. In addition, this study also focuses on the role of reading as a relaxation tool that can reduce anxiety levels and improve overall quality of life The method used in this study is a literature review, where researchers collect materials from scientific journals, books, articles, and reports that are relevant to the topic of reading in leisure time. These sources are selected based on their credibility and relevance to the focus of the research related to the effect of reading on mental well-being. The selected sources come from various academic databases such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, and ResearchGate, which provide articles that have gone through a peer-reviewed process. During the data collection process, researchers searched for articles that discussed the relationship between reading and stress reduction, as well as how reading activities can improve a person's emotional and mental health.  The analysis was carried out by categorizing the findings obtained from the collected literature and evaluating how each study showed the positive effect of reading on mental well-being. The results of the analysis show that reading books, especially fiction, can provide various benefits. One of them is stress reduction, where reading activities can distract readers from their worries and create a sense of calm. Reading has also been shown to improve empathy and social skills in readers, as they can relate to the experiences and feelings of the characters in the story. In addition, reading can enrich one's knowledge, which in turn can increase self-confidence and the ability to face everyday challenges. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that reading in leisure time has a very positive impact on a person's mental and emotional well-being. This activity not only helps in reducing stress, but also serves as a means to improve empathy, social skills, and concentration. Therefore, reading in leisure time can be an effective way to improve the quality of life and maintain mental health in a stressful life.