Whether you love losing yourself in a Jane Austen novel or flipping through a graphic novel like Heartstopper, reading for pleasure does more than pass the time. According to researchers at the University of Cambridge, it’s linked to better mental health, greater empathy, and even a lower risk of dementia later in life.
Cambridge scientists have teamed up with The Queen’s Reading Room, a charity founded by Her Majesty The Queen, to spread the word about the benefits of reading as part of the National Year of Reading. Their new review, published in Psychological Medicine, brings together evidence showing that reading isn’t just enjoyable, it’s genuinely good for us.
Good for the Brain at Any Age
Professor Barbara Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley from Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry became interested in this topic while writing their book Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life. They were struck by just how many benefits reading offers, and by how little research had looked at it closely.
“Reading is a great way to support our brain health, develop important cognitive skills and boost our wellbeing,” said Professor Sahakian. “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.”
A Head Start for Children
Reading among young people is at its lowest level since records began, especially among teenage boys and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. That’s a worry, because the evidence supporting the benefits for young readers is striking.
One study of more than 10,000 young people found that children who started reading for pleasure early showed better attention, memory, and executive function. They also did better academically, had fewer mental health issues, slept more, and spent less time on screens.
The trick, Dr Langley says, is to help children find something they actually want to read. “The important thing is to find something they’d really enjoy reading about, it might be a TV programme 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 has even been linked to better maths achievement, since both draw on similar skills like language, memory, and executive function.
A Boost for Adults Too
Adults benefit as well. Reading is linked to lower stress, better relaxation, more empathy, and a more open-minded view of others. In fact, it’s the most popular way people unwind, with 38% of adults choosing books to relax. A 2024 study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room found that just five minutes of fiction can cut stress by up to 20%. One survey even found more people turn to books for comfort (35%) than to wine (31%) or a hot bath (10%).
Protecting the Ageing Brain
Later in life, reading may help protect against cognitive decline. In a study of nearly 5,500 adults aged 55 and older, those who regularly engaged in activities like reading were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment. Another study linked reading newspapers, magazines, and books to a 33% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain scans back this up, showing that reading is associated with larger volumes in language-related brain areas, stronger connections between regions, and thicker cortex in key spots.
The Power of Reading Together
Reading with others can multiply the benefits. “Shared reading groups and book clubs appear to provide additional benefits through social interaction,” Professor Sahakian said. “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, summed it up: “Books truly do make life better, and we’re excited to do our bit to help everyone, everywhere, make more room for reading.”
Sahakian, BJ, Perrin, V & Langley, C. Reading and associations with brain health, cognition, wellbeing and mental health. Psychological Medicine; 15 Sept 2026; DOI: 10.1017/S0033291726105625