Reading Positively Impacts Mental Health
Reading can have all kinds of benefits for your mental health! Read more below
In our increasingly fast-paced world, making the time to read an engaging book can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. However, beyond just the entertainment value, reading can play an important role in promoting our well-being, and it’s something that’s worth making time for. Here are some of the benefits that reading has on our mental health.
Reducing Stress
Research suggests that reading can reduce stress. In a 2009 study, researchers showed that reading a book for 30 minutes a day was able to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and subjective feelings of stress. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, consider picking up a book instead of turning to your phone.
Enhancing Empathy
Research has shown that reading fiction in particular can enhance our ability to empathize with others. When we read, we are able to explore the inner lives, struggles, triumphs, and emotions of diverse characters that may not be illuminated by social interactions. Enhancing empathy can mean that we are able to connect more meaningfully with others and maintain those social connections.
Bibliotherapy
Reading can also be used in a therapeutic context called bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is used in a professional setting to help treat people who are dealing with mental distress, or to help people address difficult issues in their lives. This is done by reading books about certain topics that are relevant to the reader and responding to the text either in a group or with an individual counselor.
Promoting Sleep
Establishing a bedtime reading routine can signal to our brains that it’s time to wind down, promoting relaxation and better sleep. Unlike screens, which can disrupt our sleep patterns, reading a physical book can help us transition into a more restful state. Creating a calming bedtime ritual with reading can improve the quality of our sleep, which is intrinsically linked to mental health.
Improve Focus and Concentration
Reading requires us to concentrate and focus on a single narrative. This practice can enhance our attention spans and improve our ability to concentrate on other tasks in our lives. The more we read, the better we become at tuning out distractions and immersing ourselves in the present moment—skills that are invaluable for mental health.
Incorporating reading into our daily routines is a simple yet powerful way to support our mental health. Whether through fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or self-help books, the benefits are manifold—offering escape, enhancing empathy, reducing stress, and stimulating our minds. So, the next time you find a moment of free time, consider reaching for a book. It might just be the best decision you make for your mental well-being. Happy reading!
