Some might argue that reading for pleasure has become a long-lost art. In the last two decades, the number of men cracking open a book for satisfaction alone has plummeted from 28% of the pop to just 16%. But both in the form of book clubs cropping up all over the show and anecdotally, there seems to be a movement back to the haven of the hardcover. And when you take into account the myriad of mental health benefits of reading for pleasure, maybe it’s time more of us consider rediscovering this neglected pastime.
What Is Reading for Pleasure?
Firstly, the definition isn’t concrete; reading for pleasure doesn’t necessarily mean consuming nothing but fiction. In fact, it’s simply an act you choose to do voluntarily for your personal enjoyment, curiosity, or general satisfaction, rather than because of an external obligation. (Think: those long-winded extracts you were assigned in uni or ‘The Manual To Fix Your Business Right Now’.)
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That means a deep-dive history book can count as a ‘pleasure’ read and so does that fantasy series you’re slogging through. What matters is the intention. A book on productivity can, too, but that’s when pleasure can give way to the pressures of self-improvement; so it’s a grey area.
How and Why Reading for ‘Pleasure’ Can Relieve Stress
You may have felt it before: that moment when you’re completely engrossed in a novel, reading in something akin to a flow state as you devour each part of the narrative and inch toward the conclusion of an unfolding mystery. In that moment, the world dissolves away. It’s just you and this story, these characters and this mystery.
Researchers have been looking into this phenomenon and the results are clear: reading isn’t just a powerful form of escapism; it’s a proven stress reliever, too. As part of a study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room, researchers conducted a range of tests to crack the connection between reading and wellbeing.
After combing through 72 million data points, something significant emerged. Just 5 minutes of reading can reduce stress by nearly 20%. The activity can also improve your concentration and focus by more than 10%. And when you read could also have an impact. For instance, reading earlier in the day can help readers feel more connected – i.e., less lonely.
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Researchers highlighted that reading fiction was particularly effective at combating feelings of loneliness. This is important because not only can a sense of social isolation affect your mood, but persistent loneliness has also been associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
“With reducing stress, it seems to happen really quickly,” Barbara Sahakian, an emeritus professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge, told TIME. Adding that getting engrossed in a book focuses your attention on the content, taking it away from other concerns like your stressors. “You don’t start ruminating about problems you have… you forget all about that. So it’s a bit like mindfulness in that regard because the attention is so focused.”
How Can I Make Time for Reading Again?
Sitting down and reading a book with so much on your plate? Sounds unrealistic. But the reality is that we have more time than we think. Think of the hours you spend doomscrolling, gaming or watching a random YouTube video. That’s space for you to reintroduce reading into your daily routine.
Pick an interesting book – it doesn’t need to be some challenging classic – this is ‘your time’ after all. Even dedicating just 30 minutes on a slow Sunday morning to some time on the couch with a good book in your hands and a steaming cup of coffee by your side could be more restorative than you realise.
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In fact, trading out the doomscrolling before bed for some reading time could also help you sleep better. Basking in the blue glow of your smartphone has already been shown to not only affect how long it takes you to fall asleep, but also the duration and quality of your snoozing hours.
Conversely, reading before bed has been shown to do the exact opposite. The Reading Trial study found that 42% of people who read before hitting the pillow reported sleeping better compared to the 28% who skipped the novels.
So, if your evenings have become a blur of scrolling, stress and restless sleep, give reading a trial run. Pick up a book, put your phone down and give yourself 20 minutes before bed. You might find it helps you wind down, sleep better and wake up in a better mood. And if nothing else, you’ve got a few more pages under your belt. And that’s better than having a bunch of books collecting dust on your shelf.
