5 wellbeing benefits of reading
I am an avid bookworm, having really gotten back into reading after consuming many a video on BookTok (TikTok for books in case you didn’t know, and if you don’t know you should get to know), and have noticed it has had a significant positive impact on my wellbeing.
I love being transported into new realms, engaging with interesting characters, and broadening my knowledge through reading. Whether it’s reading for an hour in the morning before work, getting lost in a story during a candlelit bath, or snuggling down in bed and picking up a good book, reading takes me to my happy place, mentally.
And it turns out, I’m not alone. According to research from 2022 by The Reader, three-quarters (74%) of people surveyed said reading has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
If you’re just getting into reading, are a seasoned bookish babe, or would simply like to know more about the wellbeing benefits to reading, keep, well… reading!
Stress reduction
Immersing yourself into a good book can do wonders for your stress levels, by providing respite from the realities of everyday life. From magical fantasies, flirty romances, to crime thrillers, books offer a sense of escapism where you can get lost in our own imagination. Reading also slows down your heart rate, which can reduce stress levels.
Allow your mind to wander away from the daily worries and stresses of life, by focusing your attention on what is happening in the book. It often takes lots of concentration to read, because your mind needs to process the information it is taking in. This concentration can subconsciously make your woes disappear whilst you are reading, allowing yourself to feel a sense of inner calm and peace, with your focus primarily on what is happening in the book.
Mindfulness
As well as reducing stress, reading is a good way to practise mindfulness, because it requires you to be present in the moment, focusing on the words written on the page. During this state of deep engagement, the usual chatter of the mind often subsides, as you focus on the task of reading.
The act of focused attention occurs particularly when you are reading something you really enjoy, as you become absorbed by the content, immersing yourself into the story. This promotes mindfulness by encouraging your brain to focus entirely on the sentences on the page in front of you, without allowing your mind to wander.
Cognitive stimulation
In addition to benefiting how you feel, reading has a positive impact on the physical body - think of it as a workout for your brain! Getting lost in a book engages various mental processes as your brain takes in, breaks down, and decodes information, which leads to cognitive stimulation. Let me explain…
Reading can expose you to new vocabulary and concepts which improves linguistic and comprehension, engaging the brain and improving neural productivity. To read means you are constantly analysing information and drawing conclusions, improving critical thinking skills. And, in case your brain wasn’t being worked hard enough already, remembering character names and plots works your brain’s memory function, improving it over time. By reading, you are promoting long-term cognitive health and development.
Improved sleep
Reading promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which signals to your body it’s time to wind down. When reading before bed, your body enters a state of tranquillity, making it easier to drift off sleep. By incorporating reading into your bedtime routine, your body begins to associate the activity with sleep, recognising it as time to begin settling down for rest.
By engaging in a calming activity, like reading, before bed, you are setting yourself up for better quality sleep, as it de-stimulates your brain and slows down your heart rate, creating optimal conditions for sleep. This is important because, according to The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Sleep Matters’ report, we spend approximately one third of our life asleep, and poor sleep can increase the risk of having poor physical and mental health.
Enhanced emotional intelligence
Books expose you to a wide range of characters, themes and perspectives, which can enhance emotional intelligence. By engaging with the different emotions evoked by reading, you are encouraged to feel empathy for characters, interpret nuanced emotion, and self-reflect.
Many books cover topics such as grief, love and conflict, which can cause readers to develop a better understanding of innate human emotions and the intricacies of human feelings, in turn enhancing emotional intelligence. Reading also promotes self-awareness by encouraging readers to reflect on their own emotions, values, and beliefs when engaging with different characters and situations.
Final thoughts
Overall, reading offers a host of benefits to your wellbeing, from escaping the stresses of daily life, improving cognitive function, to enhancing emotional intelligence, and more! All whilst being a fun and enjoyable pastime! If you haven’t read in years or if you read everyday, it can be important to remember reading is so much more than a hobby, it has tangible mental and physical benefits. So, grab a book, sit down, and relax for improved wellbeing.
