The Importance of Reading: How Books Improve Our Mood and Reduce Stress

Reading books isn't just a pastime for library nostalgia seekers or those who love the smell of printed paper. It's a habit that can improve the quality of life in ways we often underestimate. You don't need to be a "strong reader" or devour a novel a week: even a few minutes a day can make a difference.

Imagine this scene: you're on a train, surrounded by people scrolling their smartphones. You open a book, and in a few moments, the background noise fades. You're no longer on the 7:45 regional train, but in an African village, Victorian London, or a dystopian future. The real journey continues, but you're experiencing another, parallel one. And when you arrive at your destination, you feel lighter, as if you've taken a little journey within yourself.

Reading reduces stress (and it's not just us saying it, it's science)

According to research from the University of Sussex, just six minutes of reading can significantly reduce stress. Six minutes! That's less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. And it doesn't matter if you're reading a novel, an essay, or even a gardening manual: the calming effect is guaranteed. It's like having a "pause" button always at your fingertips.

A gym for the mind

Reading is also cognitive training. Following a complex plot, remembering characters' names, connecting events and details: all this stimulates memory and keeps the brain active. A Yale University study showed that those who regularly read books live longer than those who don't. In short, reading not only extends your life, but also makes it more interesting.

How often do you forget where you left your keys? Well, reading won't turn you into an infallible detective, but it can help keep your mind sharper and more alert.

An ally of mood

Have you ever had a bad day and found solace in a book? A light novel can bring a smile to your face, a poem can make you feel understood, an essay can offer new perspectives. It's no coincidence that many libraries and hospitals talk about "bibliotherapy": books are true medicine for the soul.

Here's an example: you're on the couch, it's raining outside, the day seems endless. You open a book and, after a few pages, you find yourself laughing at a character's misadventures or moved by a sentence that seems written just for you. You haven't changed the weather, but you've changed your mood.

Reading develops empathy

One of the most precious gifts of reading is the ability to put ourselves in other people's shoes. A study published in Science demonstrated that reading literary fiction improves "theory of mind," or the ability to understand other people's emotions and perspectives. In essence, reading makes us more empathetic.

Maybe you've never lived in a refugee camp or an Asian metropolis, but through a novel you can get closer to those experiences, understand them, and feel closer to them. It's like traveling without a plane ticket, but with an emotional baggage that grows with every page.

The pleasure of reading: the simplest motivation

Beyond all the scientific benefits, there's an even stronger reason to read: pleasure. Yes, because reading is beautiful. Period. It's that moment when you get lost in a story and forget about the clock. It's the satisfaction of underlining a sentence that seems to speak directly to you. It's the thrill of discovering a new author in a bookstore and thinking, "This book was waiting for me."

You don't always need a "useful" justification: reading can be pure entertainment, like watching a TV series or listening to music. A book is a tool for imagination, a creative game that never ceases to amaze.

And let's face it: there's also a hint of irony in the fact that, while we look for a thousand ways to "unplug," the simplest solution has always been there, within reach, in the form of paper and ink.

📖 Sources and further information

For those who wish to delve deeper into the benefits of reading, here are some reference studies and articles:

• University of Sussex (2009) – Reading reduces stress by up to 68% 👉 Reading 'can help reduce stress' – The Telegraph
• Yale University (2016) – Reading books extends your life: those who read regularly live on average two years longer 👉 Do Bookworms Live Longer? – Yale University (PDF)
• Kidd & Castano (2013) – Fiction reading and empathy: literary narrative improves the ability to understand others
  👉 Articolo originale su Science (abstract APA PsycNet)
  👉 Leggere romanzi aiuta le competenze sociali – Le Scienze
• Bibliotherapy and Well-Being – Using Books as a Therapeutic Tool 👉 Reading is good for your health – Italia Report USA