Reading trains the brain and reduces stress

Researchers Barbara Sahakian and Christel Langley, while working on the book “Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life,” noted how promising the data on the benefits of reading appear, and yet how little this topic has been studied. In a review published in the journal Psychological Medicine, they show that it doesn’t matter what exactly a person reads — classic literature, a graphic novel, or a magazine; the very fact that reading is enjoyable already provides tangible benefits. And if you read together, for example, in a book club, with parents or children, the benefits become even greater due to social interaction.

The positive effects are especially pronounced in children and adolescents. In a study of more than 10,000 young people, researchers found that those who started reading for pleasure early demonstrated better performance in attention, memory, and executive functions. They also had higher academic performance, were less likely to experience mental health problems, and were more likely to develop healthy habits, such as longer sleep and less time spent in front of screens. At the same time, the reading level among teenagers is currently at a record low, especially among boys and children from disadvantaged families. Experts advise finding an entry point through what the child is truly interested in: this could be comics, books based on favorite games or TV series. Such formats often seem less intimidating and boring than lengthy novels.

The benefits of reading are not limited to school years. It turns out that reading is linked not only to improved literacy but even to success in mathematics: both skills rely on common cognitive processes — language abilities, memory, and executive functions. For adults, reading is one of the most popular ways to relieve stress: according to surveys, nearly 40 % of people choose books as the best way to relax. A 2024 neurophysiological study showed that just five minutes of reading fiction can reduce stress levels by up to 20 %, while also improving concentration, problem‑solving skills, and reducing feelings of loneliness. Interestingly, more people turn to books in search of solace than to wine or a hot bath.

For older adults, reading becomes an important element in protecting cognitive health. Activities that stimulate the brain, and reading in particular, are associated with a slower decline in cognitive abilities and a lower risk of dementia. For example, in a study of nearly 5,500 adults over the age of 55, those who regularly read and engaged in other intellectual activities were significantly less likely to experience cognitive impairment over a five‑year observation period. Another study showed that reading newspapers, magazines, and books is associated with a 33 % reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Neuroimaging data indicate that reading enthusiasts show structural differences in the brain: greater volume and area of the cortex in areas responsible for language, learning, emotion regulation, and action control; stronger white matter connections that support speech processing; and increased cortical thickness in key language areas. An increasing amount of evidence suggests a causal relationship: changes in brain structure may indeed be the result of reading. For example, in a small study of 11 children with dyslexia, an eight‑week program that included working with images, pronouncing, and tracking letters and words noticeably improved reading skills, and these improvements were accompanied by an increase in the volume of gray matter in important areas of the brain.

According to the researchers, shared reading can be used as a therapeutic tool in homeless shelters and centers helping victims of domestic violence. Book clubs and group reading help people feel less isolated and more connected to others, and social engagement, in turn, reduces the risk of dementia. For older people who may find it difficult to participate in active groups, a book club is an accessible and enjoyable way to stay socially engaged.

According to Barbara Sahakyan, it’s never too late to start reading for pleasure: the benefits can be reaped at any age. Books truly have the power to change lives for the better, and it’s important that everyone has the space and time for reading in their daily lives.