Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life

Reading books benefits both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime. Even if you didn’t fall in love with reading as a kid, it’s never too late to start.

Reading can even be a form of therapy for improving well-being. Bibliotherapy is a complementary therapeutic tool for emotional release and reduced stress and anxiety.

Here’s how reading books can change your brain — and your body — for the better.

Strengthens the brain

Reading involves activity in several parts of the brain, and over time, it may change your brain structure.

One 2020 study found that increased gray matter in the left superior temporal cortex part of the brain was associated with better reading performance in children. Gray matter plays a role in cognitive function.

If you’re reading to your children, research shows that the benefits of physical books outweigh those of tablets.

Books are also a crucial part of maintaining our ability to pay attention to long-form content in a digital world that has shortened our attention span with the infinite feed of short-form media.

Increases empathy

An older 2017 study found that people who read literary fiction show a heightened ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of others.

Researchers refer to this ability as the “theory of mind,” a set of skills essential for building, navigating, and maintaining social relationships.

While a single session of reading fiction isn’t likely to spark this feeling, another older 2017 study shows that long-term fiction readers tend to have a better-developed theory of mind.

Builds vocabulary

Researchers have found that reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge are related. A student with greater reading comprehension is more likely to have a larger vocabulary, and vice versa.

The size of your vocabulary can influence many areas of your life, including:

• standardized test scores

• college admissions

• job opportunities

Improves mental strength in older adults

A 14-year research study found that frequent reading can lead to a slower rate of cognitive decline as we age.

The National Institute on Aging recommends reading books and magazines as a way to keep your mind engaged as you age.

A 2022 study in China also found that reading had a positive effect on the physical and mental health of older individuals. And it provided a social outlet, which had further positive effects.

Improves sleep

Reading may improve subjective sleep quality in some individuals. It may also reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep and increase the time you spend sleeping.

For best results, consider choosing a print book rather than reading on a screen, as the blue light emitted by your device can keep you awake.

A 2020 study of 200 college students found that recreational reading was associated with reduced stress levels. Managing stress can help you achieve a good night’s rest.

May help you live longer

An older 2017 study followed a cohort of 3,635 adult participants for 12 years, finding that those who read books survived around 2 years longer than those who either didn’t read or who read magazines and other forms of media.

The study found that people who read books specifically (as opposed to other media, such as newspapers or magazines) had a 20% reduction in mortality.

What should you be reading?

The short answer is: Whatever you can get your hands on.

If you’re pressed for time, devote a few minutes daily to a few paragraphs of a nonfiction book. If you’re looking for an escape, fantasy or historical fiction can transport you out of your own surroundings and into another world altogether.

Research also shows that the nostalgia from rereading favorite books has been shown to enhance emotional well-being and increase social connection.

If possible, don’t read solely on a device. Studies have shown that people who read print books retain slightly more of what they read than those who read the same material digitally.