How Reading Can Boost Your Brain, Lower Stress, and Improve Your Mood

Looking for a simple, low-cost way to improve your mental health, reduce stress, and even support healthy aging? Try picking up a good book.

Reading has long been celebrated for its entertainment value, but recent research shows that it offers a range of science-backed benefits for your mind, body, and mood. Whether you're trying to relax, manage anxiety, stay mentally sharp, or sleep better at night, reading can play a surprisingly powerful role in your overall well-being.

Here’s a closer look at how — and why — you might want to make reading a regular part of your daily routine.

Helps Reduce Stress

Researchers from Mindlab International at the University of Sussex published a study in 2009 showing that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%—more effective than listening to music (61%), drinking tea or coffee (54%), or taking a walk (42%). A similar study measured how different activities — like yoga, humor, and reading — impacted stress levels among university students. They found that just 30 minutes of reading significantly lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and psychological distress — on par with yoga and laughter.

The best part? Reading is easy to fit into your day. According to the study authors, “Thirty minutes of one of these techniques can be easily incorporated… without diverting a large amount of time” from other responsibilities.

It May Help Alleviate Depression Symptoms

Reading — especially fiction — offers a way to step outside your own head and experience new perspectives. For those experiencing depression, this kind of mental shift can be valuable. Immersing yourself in a novel helps shift focus away from negative thought patterns, even if just for a little while.

Meanwhile, non-fiction and self-help books can offer practical strategies for managing mood and emotions. For many readers, the act of reading itself also serves as a comforting and grounding ritual — one that helps foster a greater sense of control and emotional clarity.

It Prepares You for Restful Sleep

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend reading as part of a calming bedtime routine. Unlike screen-based activities like scrolling or streaming—which emit blue light that may disrupt melatonin production — reading a print book can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

If you're someone who struggles with falling asleep, consider moving your reading spot out of the bedroom. That way, your brain continues to associate your bed strictly with sleep, not stimulation.

It Strengthens Brain Activity

Reading activates and strengthens multiple brain functions at once, including comprehension, memory, and visualization. A 2013 study from Emory University used MRI scans to observe brain activity in participants reading the novel Pompeii. As the story’s tension increased, multiple brain regions lit up, and enhanced connectivity was observed in the somatosensory cortex — responsible for processing physical sensation.

These effects persisted even days after participants had finished reading, suggesting that regular reading helps build and reinforce neural pathways — much like exercise strengthens muscles.

It May Help Preserve Cognitive Function with Age

The National Institute on Aging recommends reading as a key way to stay mentally sharp in later years. While no activity can fully prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s, research has shown that people who engage in mentally stimulating habits — like reading, writing, or working puzzles — maintain stronger cognitive function as they age.

A 2013 study from Rush University Medical Center found that lifelong learners showed fewer signs of memory loss and age-related brain changes, even if their brains displayed typical signs of aging.

The Takeaway: Read for Health, Not Just Enjoyment

Beyond the major benefits listed above, regular reading can also help you:

• Improve memory and concentration 
• Expand your vocabulary
  
• Boost your analytical thinking
  
• Increase empathy and emotional awareness
   

Whether you prefer mystery novels, memoirs, historical fiction, or self-help, the important thing is to read regularly. You might discover a new author, learn something fascinating, or simply give your brain a well-earned break from everyday worries.

So next time you feel overwhelmed or restless, try turning off the screen and opening a book. It could be the most relaxing — and rewarding — part of your day.