From reducing stress, to getting a better night’s sleep, reading for pleasure has proven benefits for mental health and wellbeing.
One in two adults – or over 7 million Australians – will face mental ill-health during their lives.[1] While the causes and solutions are complex, a mounting body of research shows the proven benefits that reading for pleasure can have on mental health and wellbeing. Find out more about some of the key benefits.
Reading reduces stress
Those of us who enjoy reading, know the calming effect of reading or listening to a good book. New neuroscience research from the Queen’s Reading Room in the UK shows that reading fiction for just five minutes can reduce stress by nearly 20%.[2] These effects come into effect almost immediately and facilitate changes in the brain that help us manage future stressful or difficult tasks.
Reading makes us feel less lonely
Reading can often be seen as a solitary act, but studies show that reading can make us feel more connected and less alone. Research shows that people who read fiction more frequently report being considerably less likely to feel lonely, than those who read fiction less frequently.[3] Reading also helps to improve empathy and can provide readers with an increased sense of belonging.[4]
This is particularly true for some of our most socially isolated populations. In a national reading program including isolated and vulnerable older people in the UK, 88% of participants appreciate the increased social contact from reading-inspired conversation.[5] Furthermore, 95% of people who are blind or partially sighted reported reading at least once a week to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.[6]
Reading reduces our risk of depression
Research suggests that regular reading may also correlate with improvements to mental health conditions such as depression. A 2023 study showed that adults who read almost every day have a substantially lower risk of being diagnosed with depression, compared with those who did not read at all.[7]
Studies with school students have also shown that reading can lead to reduction in depression and anxiety, and lead to improvement in student’s mindfulness, optimism, and positive emotions.[8]
Reading helps us get a better night’s sleep
Reading before bed is one of the most popular times Australians engage with books – and for good reason. A study from the University of Liverpool shows that 43% of readers said reading helps them get a better night’s sleep.[9] Unlike other activities of leisure such as watching television or using social media, reading associates with an emotionally and mentally ‘engaged’ form of relaxation,[10] which can help with switching off at night.
Reading helps us understand difficult situations
It’s not only the act of reading that can help with mental health and wellbeing, but the content of the books we read. Research from the University of Liverpool shows that 23% of surveyed readers said a book has helped them realise that other people have gone through the same thing as them, and feel better about their life.[11]
In a further case study with young people, 75% of students also reported having a better understanding of mental health after being given access to a dedicated book collection.[12] Scholastic research reveals that 74% of children agree that reading fiction and nonfiction helps them understand the world, and 73% say that reading about current events makes it easier to talk about or understand them.[13]
Discover more reading related research via our Research Review, and share the benefits of reading with your community via our social tiles.
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