Reading for your health: 5 big benefits

Reading is something most of us do every day – often without really realising it. From checking emails and scrolling headlines to glancing at adverts on the train, we’re constantly processing written information. But despite all this reading, many people rarely pick up a book simply to relax.

After a long day of screens and information overload, picking up a book for pleasure can feel like an effort. In reality, it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to unwind, support your mental wellbeing, and give your brain a healthy workout.

Here are five key reasons why reading regularly can benefit your health –

Why reading is good for your health

Strengthens cognition – Reading naturally stimulates and improves brain activity. When you read, your brain processes a lot of information, analyses plots, and keeps track of various ideas and characters. This mental activity helps improve your cognitive skills and strengthens memory, concentration and comprehension. Over time, regular reading can improve your ability to focus for longer periods and retain information more effectively.
Boosts imagination and creativity – Books have the power to open up new worlds. Unlike visual media, reading requires your brain to build images, scenes and characters from words alone. This active process encourages imagination and creative thinking. Developing a more imaginative mindset can also support problem-solving skills and new perspectives on challenges.¹
Improves emotional awareness – Stories allow us to experience life through other people’s perspectives. This naturally improves your emotional awareness and resilience, as you connect with stories of joy, sadness, excitement, or compassion. Some describe fiction as “the mind’s flight simulator” – allowing us to safely experience complex emotional situations before encountering them in real life.²
Reduces stress – Reading for as little as 6 minutes a day helps to lower your cortisol levels and relax your mind.³ The focused, immersive nature of enjoying a book creates a break from the constant “switched on” feeling of modern life. It allows your brain to slow down and shift into a more relaxed state.
Encourages screen-free time – Taking time away from screens reduces eye strain, sleep disruption, and digital fatigue,⁴ whilst encouraging more mindful engagement and a better balance with technology. Physical books give you the opportunity to disconnect from technology, which also means genuine relaxation without adverts and other digital distractions!

Finding time to read

Modern life is busy, and it’s easy to feel like there’s no time to sit down with a book. When time is limited, reading can quickly slip down the priority list. But like any hobby, the key is starting small and building the habit gradually.

Whilst The University of Cambridge recommends 12 hours of reading for fun each week,⁵ just aiming for 10-15 minutes here and there can be helpful in finding that initial enjoyment. Once the habit forms, it becomes easier to prioritise reading as part of your daily downtime.

Check out Phone addiction: regain control in a hyper-connected world to learn practical ways to build healthier digital habits.

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