5 Mental Health Benefits of Reading

By Nick Jones

Despite the onset of streaming platforms such as Netflix and other harbingers of the age of distraction, many people are putting down the screens and picking up books. Perhaps it is telling that in a world where the endless possibilities of technology are at our fingertips, some people may seek to kick-back and relax old-school style. Whilst it may seem like a surprising trade, books are helping people unplug and relax by getting lost in literature. This activity in itself has many physical and mental health benefits that otherwise have been closed off to those whose work and free-time gravitates them towards screens. So whether or not you’ve made the jump back from the screen to the page, I hope to discuss the benefits that reading can have on your mental health.

1. It’s a Healthy Habit

Reading for a certain amount of time each day is a good way of building a healthy habit, similar to regular exercise or mindfulness activities. Reading is particularly helpful in this capacity when a part of a nighttime routine, as 30 minutes of reading before bed has shown to encourage relaxation and assist sleep quality. This habit may be especially useful for busy people who are unable to spare extra time in the day. By removing the screen time before bed and replacing it with reading, you can begin to unplug and reduce digital fatigue. After all, what better way to kickstart a new day than a good night’s sleep!

2. Boosted Memory and Increased Focus

Studies have demonstrated that reading enhances short-term memory recall and protects against the onset of memory loss in old age. Further, reading enhances the ability to focus. I believe this is something that is especially valuable, when one can often find themselves distracted with worry, stress and their phone. As somebody who used to struggle with their concentration, I have found that since I committed to regular reading, my ability to focus has noticeably extended! This improvement in focus has helped reduce frustration and stress by assisting me in my work-life and hobbies, ensuring that I can maintain concentration throughout the day to do what I need to do.

3. Excellent Stress Reliever

Whilst objectively mindful activities are seen as an effective stress busting exercise, 30 minutes of reading has been found to be just as useful in relieving pent-up stress compared to yoga or humour. By targeting your levels of stress, reading serves to further benefit your physical health by lowering blood pressure. Because of how wide and endless the possibilities are with reading, it shouldn’t be too challenging to find true escapism, particularly within the genres of sci-fi or fantasy. By leaning into a world so far removed from your own, it may just provide that comforting escape that you need to ease your tensions.

4. Increased Knowledge

This knowledge can come in many formats and on nearly any subject that piques your interest. Whilst this could be anything, a foray into the world of self-help books can provide positive frameworks for managing your mental health, and although this is not a cure all by any means, it can provide some help no matter how small. An increased knowledge may harness new interests which can be shared with other people, so whilst you may also gain a better grasp on the world, you can further foster social ties and friendships with others too.

5. Developed Empathy

I believe that by developing greater empathy, you can begin to gain some perspective on your life that may help you cope and process your problems. The ability to empathise may also allow you to escape more easily and to delve deeper into a book, particularly if you identify with or feel endeared to the characters. In a similar vein, reading can induce meaningful contemplation. For example, it may help you to understand yourself and your place in the world, and provide some direction in your life and how you may want to live.

Conclusion

While reading certainly isn’t a cure-all activity when it comes to mental health, it can certainly be a good way to channel your feelings and help you to identify with other people - fiction or otherwise - who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. Harnessing reading as a healthy habit can be great in helping to build further fulfilling habits into your daily life and can help you to relax using a medium other than your digital screens. Once it becomes a habit, a top tip would be to read widely and openly to find your favourite books. Be careful though, for once you find your favourite books, you won’t be able to stop talking about them!