Curling up with a good book may be doing much more than helping you relax. A new review suggests reading for pleasure is associated with better mental health, greater empathy and benefits for brain health throughout life. Among adults, reading has been linked to lower stress and greater relaxation, and just five minutes of fiction was associated with up to a 20% reduction in stress in one study.
The potential benefits become especially interesting as you age. Mentally stimulating leisure activities, particularly reading, have been associated with slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia. In one study of nearly 5,500 adults ages 55 and older, people who frequently engaged in activities such as reading were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment over five years. Another study linked reading newspapers, magazines and books with a 33% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.
You don't need to tackle a difficult novel to potentially benefit. The review suggests what matters is reading something you genuinely enjoy, and sharing the experience through a book club or reading group may add valuable social connection. Most of the research shows associations rather than proving that reading itself prevents dementia, but making time for a book, magazine or newspaper is a simple and enjoyable way to keep your mind engaged as you age.
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NewsMedical, September 15, 2026