Jun 15, 2025

Aarushi Bhadury

Beat Anxiety With Books: How Reading Helps With Stress

​Reading Cuts Stress Significantly​

Reading slashes stress by 68%, making it more powerful than walks or music. This is crucial as stress levels, driven by inflation and other issues, are at an all-time high for many.

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​Engages Mind for Deep Calm​

Reading forces a single focus, actively engaging imagination. This creative process can lead to a calm, altered state, offering a strong escape from daily worries and mental clutter.

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​Fights Mental Decline​

Engaging your brain through reading is linked to better brain health. Studies consistently show that consistent reading can help lower your risk of developing dementia as you age.

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​Slows Decline Even with Brain Changes​

Research indicates that people who read and do other brain-stimulating tasks throughout life experience slower mental decline. This benefit holds true even if their brains show signs of damage.

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​Reduces Dementia Risk Later in Life​

Studies suggest that starting mentally stimulating activities like reading, whether in middle age or even later in life, can significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia.

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​Therapeutic for Mental Well-being​

Beyond just cutting stress, reading supports overall mental health. Many adults struggle with mental illness, and reading offers a valuable tool for coping and self-care.

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​Used in Mental Health Therapy​

Some doctors even prescribe reading as part of therapy, known as bibliotherapy. This practice helps develop empathy, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills, supporting broader mental health goals.

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​Addresses Widespread Mental Health Issues​

Given the high rates of anxiety and depression in both adults and adolescents, reading provides a beneficial and accessible way to manage feelings and promote emotional well-being.

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​Little Time Needed for Stress Relief​

You don't need to read for hours. Just six minutes of reading per day has been shown to effectively lower stress levels, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.

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​Flexibility is Key​

While more reading might offer greater brain benefits, the most important thing is to read consistently without adding stress. Find short moments in your day to enjoy a book.

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Thanks For Reading !

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