Why is reading for pleasure good for the brain?

Reading for pleasure is not just a pleasant way to spend your free time. According to a new review by scientists from the University of Cambridge, it is good for your health too. The researchers collected the results of many earlier studies and published them on 15 September in a medical journal. The review was written by Barbara Sahakian and Christelle Langley from Cambridge, together with Vicki Perrin from a charity. It covers all ages, from children to older people.

One study of more than 10,000 young people showed that early reading brings big benefits for development. Children who read for pleasure concentrate, remember and plan better. They get better marks at school and have mental health problems less often. In addition, they sleep more and spend less time in front of screens.

Reading benefits adults too. A study from 2024 showed that just five minutes with a novel can reduce stress by up to 20 per cent. According to surveys, more than a third of adults reach for a book when they need comfort. People who read novels also understand others better. Scans of the brain show that in readers the areas for language, learning and emotions have a larger volume.

Older people see benefits too. Reading is one of the activities that stimulate the brain. In a study of more than 5,500 people aged over 55, regular readers developed problems with thinking and memory less often over five years. Reading newspapers, magazines and books is linked to a 33 per cent lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Despite all this, children and young people today read for pleasure less than ever. The problem is biggest among boys and among children from poorer families. That is why England declared 2026 a National Year of Reading. The campaign runs from January to December and wants to present reading as fun, not as a duty. According to Langley, even comics can attract children to books. According to the authors, reading together in groups connects people and reduces loneliness.