Reading for fun linked to better mental health and lower dementia risk

By Stephen Beech

Reading for pleasure has mental and physical health benefits for every age — from children to pensioners, according to new research.

Whether its tucking into a Jane Austen novel, a newspaper or comic, scientists found that reading is linked to better mental health, greater empathy and a lower risk of dementia.

University of Cambridge researchers teamed up with The Queen's Reading Room charity to highlight the benefits of reading for pleasure at any age as part of the National Year of Reading.

In 2025, Cambridge psychiatrists Barbara Sahakian and Christelle Langley published "Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life."

It was while writing that book that they became aware of how widespread the benefits of reading for pleasure are, but also how little research had been conducted.

Their new study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, suggests that it doesn't matter what or how people read, reading for enjoyment can bring huge benefits.

And reading with others, whether as part of a book club or a parent reading with their children, can bring even greater rewards.

Sahakian said: "Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our well-being.

"It's something we ought to be encouraging from an early age, given the increasing evidence of its benefits, particularly to children, but really, it's never too late to start, and it can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age."

Surveys have shown that reading among children and adolescents is at its lowest levels since records began, particularly among boys and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

But even those who say they enjoy reading the least still recognize its educational value, with nearly half saying it helps them learn new words or new things.

Some of the strongest evidence of the benefits of reading for pleasure come from a study by Sahakian, Langley and colleagues of more than 10,000 young people.

It showed that children who began reading for pleasure early in life showed benefits including better attention, memory and executive functioning, greater academic achievement, fewer mental health problems and healthier lifestyles — including more sleep and less screen time.

Langley said: "Given how beneficial reading for pleasure is at a young age, we should be doing everything we can to introduce children and young people to reading.

"The important thing is to find something they'd really enjoy reading about – it might be a TV program or a game – and use this as a way in.

"Reading comics and graphic novels could also be a helpful introduction as they might be seen as less intimidating, maybe less boring, than novels."

Reading is not only strongly associated with improved literacy skills, it is also linked to mathematical achievement, as reading and math share similar cognitive processes such as language skills and memory.

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The benefits are not limited to youngsters with surveys suggesting multiple benefits for adults, particularly related to well-being — including reduced stress and better relaxation, greater empathy and understanding of others, and a more tolerant attitude to different perspectives.

Reading has emerged as the most popular method for stress relief, with 38% of adults choosing books as their ultimate way to unwind.

A study commissioned by The Queen's Reading Room in 2024 found that just five minutes of fiction can reduce stress by up to 20%, as well as boosting concentration and problem-solving skills and helping readers feel less lonely.

Another survey found that more people turned to books for comfort (35%) than to wine (31%) or a hot bath (10%).

Leisure activities that stimulate the brain later in life — particularly reading — are linked to slower cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia in older adults.

For example, a study of almost 5,500 adults ages 55 or older found those who frequently engaged in activities including reading were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment during a five-year follow-up period.

Another study found that reading newspapers, magazines and books was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Brain imaging studies show a link between reading and differences in brain structure, including larger volumes and cortical areas in brain regions involved in language, learning, emotional regulation and executive control.

While most studies only show associations, evidence is emerging of a causal link.

Structural brain changes have been shown to follow reading interventions.

For example, a study of 11 children with dyslexia found that an eight-week training program focused on mental imagery, articulation and tracing of letters, letter groups and words "significantly improved" reading skills.

And the improvements were accompanied by increases in gray matter volume in key brain regions.

The Queen's Reading Room was first launched in January 2021 as a way of sharing book recommendations and connecting readers during lockdown.

It has since grown into a global movement of more than 12 million people in 184 countries.

The charity works to restore reading to the heart of daily life.

Sahakian said: "Shared reading groups and book clubs appear to provide additional benefits through social interaction.

"They can help people feel less isolated and more connected to others, which has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia.

"While these clubs can be fun and beneficial at any age, they're perfect for older people who may be not so mobile – they might not be able to go out as an exercise group or a cycling group, but a reading group is something most people can enjoy."

Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen's Reading Room, added: "We have seen first-hand the transformative power of individual and shared reading to change lives.

"Books truly do make life better, and we're excited to do our bit to help everyone, everywhere, make more room for reading."