The Proven Benefits of Reading
Self care, emotional connection, and plenty more
Introduction
[Note: This issue includes mentions of the genocide in Gaza, our government’s various attacks on social justice, and more.]
As readers, we’re likely aware of the mental health benefits of reading—particularly the activity’s ability to help us unplug from reality for a little while. And while reading is a beneficial escape, it’s so much more than that, ultimately helping us strengthen our sense of self and purpose, proving that readers really have, can, and do change the world.
The first time I realized reading benefited my mental health was in high school. I saw my friend group making plans, and I knew that I had no interest in joining them; all I wanted after a week of studying was to sit on a couch, sink in, and finish my book. I’d always been a reader—so much so that my parents would “threaten” to take away my books—but up until that point, I had never processed that I depended on these books for more than just enjoyment. And over the years, reading has become so much more, too; it’s my preferred way to learn about different topics, it helps me connect with others, and it plays a huge role in my social and political activism.
Reading is often touted as an escape. It enables individuals to unplug from the horrific news, and instead temporarily live in another world—maybe even one where the protagonist has more control or power. In fact, reading has been found to decrease stress by up to 68%. But we can’t simply say reading cares for our mental health, check out briefly, and stumble back into reality and pretend everything around us is okay; not only is this a blatant exercise of harmful privilege, but ultimately in the long run, this will harm our own health via denial and lack of connection.
And for many, like myself, reading is so much more than a simple escape. It helps us build and exercise imagination, gain a stronger understanding of societal events, develop critical thinking skills, connect with others, and plenty more. All of which go a long way in the fight against a fascist government.
Earlier this month, we briefly touched on the importance of adding reading to our mental health toolkits. And in today’s newsletter, we’re diving into the scientific research that shows just exactly how and why reading benefits us as individuals and our wider society—because in our quest of ongoing activism, reading helps us develop skills that play an active role.
A Deeper Look
Whether utilizing storytelling in therapy, conducting surveys to monitor the benefits of reading, or looking into how our brains process what’s on the page, there’s a growing body of evidence showcasing the overwhelmingly powerful side effects of reading. And when we look at these benefits amidst the wider context of our current society, it’s easy to see why encouraging more folks to read is important…and why our government is bent on limiting access to reading, whether via defunding the IMLS, book bans, cutting grants to authors and literary organizations, bombing libraries in Palestine, etc.
In a 2015 survey of just over 4,000 individuals, researchers found that folks who read just 20 minutes a week are 20% more likely to feel satisfied with their lives than those who don’t. The survey also found that readers report lower levels of depression, better sleep, feel less lonely, and have higher self esteem—all the mental and physical health benefits that are usually highlighted when discussing the benefits of reading. But one of the most impactful outcomes of the study, in our opinion, is how reading strengthens connections with others. Those behind the survey wrote:
“Readers have a stronger and more engaged awareness of social issues and of cultural diversity than non-readers: their template of the world is widened and their place within it feels more secure. Our research found that reading for just 30 minutes a week means you’re 52% more likely to feel socially included than those who have not read in the past week and 72% more likely to have greater community spirit. Readers are also 37% more likely to get greater pleasure out of their social lives.”
Research has also found that readers of literary fiction in particular show the most improvement on empathy tests. And a study out of The New School in NYC shows evidence that reading literary fiction improves an individual’s ability to understand others’ emotions, writing: “This genre prompts the reader to imagine the characters’ introspective dialogues. This psychological awareness carries over into the real world, which is full of complicated individuals whose inner lives are usually difficult to fathom…They support and teach us values about social behavior, such as the importance of understanding those who are different from ourselves.”
These discoveries have resulted in the practice of bibliotherapy, which is when therapists employ reading literature alongside more traditional therapeutic methods with patients. Typically, the assigned reading consists of fiction stories. Bibliotherapy helps patients better process and understand their own situation and feel less alone, which can increase self-esteem. In one study from 2004, researchers compared the effects of cognitive bibliotherapy for depression with the effects of more traditional CBT psychotherapy. The results reveal that the effect is about the same. But bibliotherapy is also used to help understand other people’s perspectives and lives. Such work can be essential in breaking down stereotypes and building connections via emotional resonance.
Ways to Respond
Knowing the various benefits, what are some ways we can work reading into our everyday lives?
Start small. However you’re coming to reading from—an avid reader, a reader who hasn’t picked up a book in a few years, someone who loves the idea of reading but just can’t seem to make the time or headspace for it, etc.—don’t overcommit yourself. Like any hobby, setting realistic expectations makes it all the easier. Even reading for just five minutes a day can make all the difference.
Start wherever you are. Don’t be mean to yourself! It’s just reading!
Find your ideal reading time. Play around with this one. Maybe reading right before bed helps you wind down and sleep better. Maybe you prefer to read first thing in the morning, to help focus your mind. Sometimes I like to take ten minutes to read in the middle of the day when I’m feeling overwhelmed with work to help calm my anxiety.
Put your phone away. One of the easiest ways to get distracted while reading is quick access to tech. Either put your phone in another room, put it on Do Not Disturb, or consider a focusing app. (Focus Friend, anyone?)
Make reading accessible. Find the closest library and/or indie near you (used bookstores are especially great if you’re hoping to read more!). Grab a library card. Look for Little Free Libraries in your area. See if friends are open to swapping stories. The easier it is for you to access books, the easier it is to read.
Don’t force yourself to finish a book. Not liking it? Forcing yourself to push through won’t help, and it won’t make reading enjoyable. Especially if you’re reading a library book, feel free to not finish the story.
Audiobooks are your friend! With audiobooks, you can read while walking, running, cleaning, commuting, doing arts and crafts, or simply sitting down. Play with narration speed (this can help make them easier to get into), and with when you listen. We recommend Libro.fm (biased, because I work there, but also because it’s awesome), and Hoopla (via your public library). Why not Libby? Check out this post on KKR’s investments in Israel.
Find new ways to discover books. Some of our favorite ways to find reads include asking booksellers and librarians for their recommendations; following a diverse range of content creators (escaping the “hype” bubble—see who your friends, including us, are following); using tracking apps like StoryGraph; following Literary Hub, Book Riot, and Electric Lit for recommendations; and simply browsing shelves at a library/bookstore with no expected read in mind.
Say no to plans (oops). You’re allowed to care for yourself, and sometimes that means canceling plans to stay in with a book. Very few things, in our opinion, feel as good as being in bed at 7 pm on a Saturday, knowing you have hours ahead of you to read.
Join a book club. Whether it’s an in-person one, or a virtual one, they’ll provide you with book recommendations and reading schedules. Plus, there are often Slack channels or other chats to help you stay accountable.
Read shorter books. Now, this doesn’t have to be all the time! But short books can especially be less daunting when we are getting back into reading. Check out books under 200 pages, and feel some (well-deserved) accomplishment once you finish.
Sometimes we go through phrases where reading comes more easily to us, and other times it is the last thing we feel like doing. Listening to our bodies plays just as important of a role. And it’s critical to note that accessibility and privilege play a huge role as well. Having the time and space to read, or the means to do so, is a barrier for many. Thankfully, there are more ways than ever for individuals to access books. We hope that some of the tips we’ve outlined work for you. If you have any other tips, feel free to share them in the comments!
Final Musings
With everything going on in the world—a genocide in Gaza and Sudan; our government’s attacks on trans and queer rights, reproductive justice, the environment, immigrants; and plenty else—it far too often feels like we are trying to push through overwhelming dread. But when we start feeling this way, our active hope must kick in. We have to look at the examples of those fighting around us, whether Interlink Publishing’s ongoing commitment to highlight Palestinian voices, or librarians working every day to resist bans. We must remember the role we play as readers, people familiar with connection, critical thinking, and utilizing imagination.
When we take what we read and turn it into action, we build a powerful form of resistance. Tricia Hersey, the founder of the Nap Ministry, has said that “rest disrupts and pushes back and allows space for healing, for invention, for us to be more human. It’ll allow us to imagine this new world that we want, this new world that’s liberated, that’s full of justice, that’s a foundation for us to really, truly live our lives.”
Reading always has been and will always be political. And when we care for our mental health, we’re enabling ourselves to further our collective and individual fight toward a better world for everyone.
We’ll be back in a few weeks with more. In the meantime, make sure to check out our reading-themed prints for a cause, free downloads (wallpapers, templates, and more), and our exclusive downloads for newsletter subscribers (with password newsletterdownloads). If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch via email, the comments below, or Instagram DM.
Xx,
ad astra