Experts Highlight Mental Health Benefits of Reading for World Book Day

Could Reading for Just 6 Minutes Improve Your Mental Health?

With World Book Day taking place on 5th March, learning experts are highlighting how reading could play an important role in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

The advice comes as 2026 has been named the National Year of Reading, prompting renewed attention on how simple daily habits such as reading can make a positive difference.

According to studies, one in six adults in England experience a common mental health condition such as depression or anxiety in any given week. As awareness of mental health continues to grow, experts say it is important to focus on ways people can support their wellbeing in everyday life.

Learning specialists at High Speed Training say reading can help in several ways, including relaxation, improving sleep and building empathy.

Reading as a way to relax

Dr Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training, said reading can help people slow down and focus.

Richard Anderson said:

“Reading can be used as a form of relaxation. You stop, usually sit somewhere comfortable, and give your full attention to the activity. One study (Mindlab International, Sussex University, 2009), found that reading silently for just six minutes was enough to slow down the heart rate and ease tension in the muscles, in turn reducing stress.

“By becoming absorbed in what you are reading, you are able to escape your own thoughts and concerns for a while. Reading can be a mindful activity, grounding your thoughts in the words on the page.”

How reading may help with sleep

Experts also say reading can form part of good sleep habits.

Healthy sleep routines, often referred to as sleep hygiene, can play an important role in mental wellbeing. Disturbed sleep is often linked to mental ill health and can make existing problems worse.

Reading before bed may help the mind wind down and prepare for sleep. It can also be more helpful for relaxation than spending time on screens before going to bed.

Stories that help us understand ourselves

Reading can also encourage empathy and connection.

Richard Anderson said reading exposes people to different experiences and perspectives. This can help readers better understand others and even reflect on their own lives.

Richard Anderson said:

“Reading opens up our access to experiences. As well as empathising with others’ lives, reading can be a powerful way to see elements of our own experiences reflected in the stories we read. If this relates to something directly impacting your own mental health, reading about others’ similar situations can help you feel that you are not alone in the experience; that your experience is valid.”

Tips for using reading to support mental wellbeing

Experts from High Speed Training have also shared a few simple ways people can incorporate reading into their daily lives.

Build reading into your routine

Setting aside time to read each day can help prioritise personal wellbeing. This might be ten minutes in the morning, reading during a commute, or half an hour before bed.

Reading with children

Reading with children, either by reading to them or listening to them read, can help develop their reading skills while also creating valuable time together. It can also open the door to conversations about emotions and wellbeing through the stories being shared.

Join a book club

Book clubs can offer structured social interaction centred around a shared interest. Discussing books with others allows people to exchange ideas and perspectives while also encouraging them to keep reading.

A simple habit that can make a difference

Richard Anderson said reading can offer a range of benefits for mental wellbeing.

He said:

“Losing yourself in a good book, learning from an informative article or tackling some poetry can have many benefits in promoting and protecting our mental health.

This World Book Day, we would encourage you to take some time for yourself and enjoy reading in a way that works for you.”