Are you a die-hard fan of the Lord of the Rings series? Do you have fond memories of reading Harry Potter or Eragon, or one of hundreds of other fantasy titles?
Of course, a lot of readers who might answer “yes” to those questions might also be a bit shy about sharing their love for fantasy. If you’ve ever tried to announce your love for fantasy stories, you might’ve been met with a raised eyebrow or even a laugh.
Fortunately, fantasy literature is in the middle of a renaissance right now, and fantasy fiction is more widely read than ever before. Still, it’s not uncommon to run into someone that suggests reading fantasy is a complete waste of time.
Well, if we look at the science, it turns out that nothing could be further from the truth.
Fantasy Wakes Up Your Creative Side
In our world, structured thinking is often rewarded over creative thinking. But, as renowned physicist Albert Einstein once said, “The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.”
When we have to solve real-world issues, creativity and innovation are key. Reading fantasy works out parts of our brains that usually don’t get much action, helping us think outside the box. This could be why a lot of real-world inventions are inspired by fiction.
Fantasy Triggers “Happy” Hormones on a Sustained Basis
Happiness is all about chemicals our body releases. At the molecular level, hormones are like chemical signals, altering our mood and our outlook.
Dopamine is a hormone that gives us a rush of joy when we seek novelty or take a risk and succeed. Most modern activities like social media and gaming trigger dopamine release. But, that hit of dopamine has less and less effect over time. It makes us chase that increasingly elusive good feeling, and makes us less sensitive to simple pleasures at the same time.
A lesser-known hormone, acetylcholine, gives a more relaxed, content feeling. Reading releases acetylcholine, making us feel relaxed and happy without overstimulating our dopamine receptors.
Fantasy Helps You Learn New Things Quickly
Research shows that people, especially younger people, tend to retain information better when learning through metaphors and allegories. Fantasy is full of these things. When you read fantasy, your brain automatically starts connecting the material to other parts of your life and knowledge.
This can make it easier to memorize details and understand complex concepts. So, if you’re interested in improving your understanding of history, geography, or a foreign language, consider reading fantasy set in that context or written in that language.
Fantasy Can Build a Positive Outlook
Most fantasy stories involve the triumph of good over evil. This can help us develop a more optimistic outlook on life, which can make us happier, more successful, and healthier in the long run.
Remember how characters like Naruto or Harry Potter endured and overcame their struggles? Their stories can help motivate us through challenging times.
Fantasy is “Healthy” Escapism
Overindulging in escapism is not good. You don’t want to get to a point where you’re relying on escapist entertainment to avoid living in the present moment. But, a moderate amount of it, like that offered in a good fantasy novel, can be great.
Daily life can sometimes get monotonous and tedious. Reading, especially fantasy, provides a healthy escape, giving us a much-needed break to tackle our day-to-day tasks.
It can also be a great lens through which to understand the world. As the author Lloyd Alexander said, “Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.”