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Reading is one of life's simple pleasures, but finding time for a book can be difficult when work, errands, phones and everyday responsibilities are competing for our attention. It can even feel like reading is something we should save for when everything else on our to-do list is done.
But making time for a good book isn't a waste of time. Reading can support your mind and wellbeing in a number of ways, from helping you relax and concentrate to improving vocabulary, knowledge and empathy. It can also be particularly beneficial for children, supporting their cognitive, emotional and language development.
A recent review of research by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reading for pleasure is associated with reduced stress, greater empathy, improved wellbeing and less loneliness. The review also found that cognitively stimulating activities such as reading are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
For children and young people, reading for pleasure is linked to better attention, memory, problem-solving and academic performance, as well as healthier lifestyle habits, including getting more sleep and spending less time on screens. The findings were reported by The Telegraph, highlighting the benefits of making time for reading at every stage of life.
So, if you need a little extra motivation to pick up a book, here are 11 reasons why reading more could be worth making time for.
11 Reasons Why You Should Read More
Reading gives your brain plenty to think about. Whether you're following a complicated plot, learning a new word or trying to work out what a character is really up to, reading keeps your mind engaged. It can help us practise skills such as concentration, vocabulary, memory and critical thinking. These benefits can be particularly valuable for children, supporting their learning both inside and outside the classroom.
With notifications, social media and endless scrolling competing for our attention, concentrating on one thing for a sustained period can sometimes feel difficult.
Reading gives us a chance to slow down and focus on one activity. Following a story or absorbing information from a book requires us to stay engaged with what we're reading, which can help us practise our concentration.
Nearly every book we encounter has a new word to teach us. From trepidation (a feeling of fear or anxiety that something may happen) to exhilaration (a feeling of excitement and happiness), books can introduce us to words we might not otherwise come across. And just as books can teach us new words, they can also reveal that we’ve been spelling them wrong for years.
Books can entertain us while teaching us something new. Non-fiction covers almost every subject you can think of, from history and science to sport, travel and everything in between. You might discover the story behind your favourite football club, learn about a place you've never visited or finally understand a topic you've always been curious about.
Fiction can be educational too. Stories can introduce us to different cultures, experiences, time periods and perspectives, helping us see the world in a new way. Whatever you choose to read, there's always the chance to finish a book knowing something you didn't know before.
Unexpected endings, hidden hints, beloved characters turned bad; books can break our hearts and betray our trust. But as upsetting as these surprising turns can be, they do teach us a valuable life skill: critical thinking. We learn not to take everything at face value and to think deeper about the meaning behind certain words and actions. Something both adults and children can learn from reading.
As we read, we need to remember characters, events, details and information as the story develops. Keeping track of all these different pieces of information keeps us actively engaged with what we're reading and gives our memory plenty to work with. Whether you're following a complicated plot or learning something new, reading encourages you to remember and connect information as you go.
We often think of reading as a mental activity, but it can also support our overall wellbeing. Taking time to read can help us slow down, switch off and make space for relaxation.
Reading can be a simple way to take a break from the pressures of everyday life. Getting absorbed in a story gives your mind something else to focus on, while the quiet time away from screens, notifications and other distractions can help you slow down and unwind.
Research reviewed by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reading for pleasure is associated with reduced stress and improved wellbeing.
There’s a reason so many of us read to children before bed. Reading together can be a lovely bonding opportunity and can help create a calm routine before sleep.
The same can be true for adults. Reading a few pages before bed gives you a chance to step away from screens and everyday distractions and do something relaxing. Whether you read for ten minutes or an hour, making reading part of your bedtime routine can be a simple way to wind down at the end of the day.
Perhaps the most important benefit of reading is simply how it makes you feel. We can all remember the first time we got sucked into a book, wondering at the new world this wordsmith has created for us. I’m sure we’d all love to experience that feeling time and time again.
The world of emotions can be difficult to navigate, but reading gives us the chance to be actual mind readers. We can hear the characters’ thoughts and feelings. Experiencing the world through another person’s eyes helps us to practice empathy.
This becomes even more important when we consider the diversity of book characters. Books introduce us to people from every background: rich and poor; old and young; hero and victim. It is always nice to relate to a character, but it is much more valuable to learn to empathise with someone completely different to us.
The author may put the words on the page, but it is up to us to bring those words to life. The man might have a big, shaggy beard, but what does that look like to you? If you and a friend both tried to draw the same character, you’d likely end up with something completely different. After all, how many times is there outrage at the casting of a beloved book character?
As our imagination works to bring the story to life, we're often left to fill in the gaps. Our mind starts firing off ideas for the extraneous details that the author saw fit to leave to us. As we ping out idea after idea, we are honing our creative skills without even knowing it.
Books can help us explore who we are and what matters to us. Through different characters, experiences and ideas, we can discover qualities we admire, question our own views and see things from different perspectives. We may even discover new interests that inspire us to take up a hobby, learn something new or explore a different path.
After all is said and done, the best thing about reading is enjoying a new book! The twists and turns, the will they won’t they and the satisfaction (or disappointment) from the ultimate resolution. There’s nothing quite like reading a new book for the first time.
Research has highlighted the potential benefits of reading at different stages of life. A recent review by researchers from the University of Cambridge looked at evidence linking reading for pleasure with brain health, cognition, wellbeing and mental health. The findings were published in Psychological Medicine and included research involving both children and adults.
“It’s never too late to start” reading.
Professor Barbara Sahakian, quoted in The Telegraph
In a separate study from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), around 760,000 15-year-olds across 91 countries and economies took part in the latest assessment. The results found that average reading performance had fallen to its lowest level recorded by the assessment, with reading scores across OECD countries falling by 28 points between 2015 and 2025.
“It can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age”.
Professor Barbara Sahakian, quoted in The Telegraph
Together, the findings highlight the importance of making time for reading, from childhood through to later life.
Reading can have a range of benefits, including improving concentration, vocabulary, knowledge, critical thinking and memory. It can also help you relax, reduce stress, encourage empathy and support creativity.
Reading can be a relaxing way to take a break from everyday pressures. It can help you switch off, reduce stress and become absorbed in another world.
Reading can help children develop their vocabulary, memory, concentration and critical thinking skills. It can also support their emotional development by helping them understand different characters, experiences and perspectives. Encouraging children to read from an early age can help make books a positive part of their everyday lives.
Reading requires you to focus on the words, characters and information on the page, making it an activity that can exercise your attention and concentration. Reading regularly may also help you become more comfortable with focusing on one activity for longer periods.
No. Reading can be beneficial at any age. Recent research highlighted by The Telegraph found that reading can support wellbeing and brain health throughout life, with Professor Barbara Sahakian emphasising that it is never too late to start reading.
Getting back into reading can be as simple as picking up a book you’ve been meaning to read and setting aside a little time for it each day. Or perhaps you're aiming to read more books? As your reading habit grows, so can your collection of finished books.
If you have books sitting on your shelves that you’ve already enjoyed and don’t plan to read again, why not sell them? The WeBuyBooks app makes it easy to scan your books and get an instant valuation. You can send your books to us for free and get paid once we've received and checked them. Prefer to use a browser? You can also sell your books on our website.
Whether you're picking up an old favourite or discovering a new author, there's always another book waiting to be read. So, clear some space, pass on the books you no longer need and make room for your next read.
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