Reading for pleasure is linked to better mental health, greater empathy and a lower risk of dementia, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of Cambridge.
In a review published in Psychological Medicine, the scientists argue that regardless of what or how we read, reading for enjoyment can bring huge benefits.
The study of more than 10,000 young people found that children who began reading for pleasure early in life showed benefits including better attention, memory and executive functioning, greater academic achievement, fewer mental health problems and healthier lifestyles, including more sleep and less screen time.
Unsurprisingly, reading is strongly associated with improved literacy skills—but it is even linked to mathematical achievement, as reading and math share similar cognitive processes such as language skills, memory and executive function.
The benefits are not limited to children and young people. Surveys have suggested a multitude of benefits for adults, particularly related to well-being, including reduced stress and better relaxation, greater empathy and understanding of others, and a more tolerant attitude toward different perspectives.
Reading has emerged as the most popular method for stress relief, with almost two in five adults (38%) choosing books as their ultimate way to unwind.
A neuroscience study commissioned by The Queen's Reading Room in 2024 found that just five minutes of fiction can reduce stress by up to 20%, as well as boost concentration and problem-solving skills and help readers feel less lonely.
One survey even found that more people turned to books for comfort (35%) than to wine (31%) or a hot bath (10%).
Also, the benefits can be particularly important later in life. Leisure activities that stimulate the brain—particularly reading—are linked to slower cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia in older adults.
For example, in a study of almost 5,500 adults ages 55 and older, individuals who frequently engaged in activities including reading were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment over a five-year follow-up period.
Another study found that reading newspapers, magazines and books was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Brain imaging studies show a link between reading and differences in brain structure, including larger volumes and cortical areas in brain regions involved in language, learning, emotional regulation and executive control; stronger white matter connectivity supporting language processing; and increased cortical thickness in key language-related brain areas.
Also, reading with others, whether as part of a book club or with a parent reading to their children, can bring even greater rewards, the study shows.
