After a long day it is easy to reach for your phone, but a book on the shelf may be a gentler way to unwind. Researchers have been looking closely at how reading for pleasure affects wellbeing.
What does the research show?
A review by University of Cambridge scientists in the journal Psychological Medicine links reading for pleasure in adults with reduced stress, greater empathy and less loneliness. Survey data reviewed by the authors suggest that even a few minutes of reading is associated with lower stress levels.
One important caveat: the authors themselves note that survey data are subjective, that surveys may over-represent regular readers, and that more experimental research is needed to show cause and effect. So reading is a helpful habit, not a treatment.
Why might a book help you relax?
When you get absorbed in a story, your attention settles on one thing and worrying thoughts take a back seat. In that sense it resembles mindfulness, paying attention to the present moment. The NHS also…