5 reasons science says you should prioritize time with a book
When I was growing up we lived in the middle of nowhere. And when I say nowhere I mean cornfield in front of the house, cornfield behind the house and woods on one side. There often weren’t other kids around, so my sister and I spent a lot of our summer reading.
Maybe it was a habit created by the summer reading program where you tried to win a Pizza Hut Pizza (does anyone else remember that?), but I would spend HOURS lounging on my bed reading.
Ever since the stressful years of Covid, I’ve been obsessed with summer beach reads. One of my quiet luxuries this summer is to crawl into my bed in the middle of a weekday on a 100 degree day and disappear into a fun novel, like I did during my childhood summers.
Think you don’t have time to read a book in the middle of a weekday?
Here are 5 ways science has proven that reading can calm the nervous system and improve your mood.
1. Reading Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Reading, especially in a quiet and comfortable setting, can lower heart rate and blood pressure, signaling a shift from the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) to the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system. This is because the brain focuses attention on the narrative, which creates a meditative-like state and down regulates cortisol.
A 2009 study by the University of Sussex found that reading for just 6 minutes reduced stress levels by 68%—more than listening to music or taking a walk.
2. Reading Reduces Cortisol
Because you're focused on the narrative, reading immersive fiction or engaging nonfiction helps take your mind off worries and ruminations, which reduces cortisol secretion.
Cognitive distraction (like following a plot or characters) interrupts the stress loop in the default mode network (DMN), helping re-center mental and emotional states.
3. Reading Boosts Emotional Regulation and Empathy
Reading about characters’ emotional journeys activates brain areas linked to empathy and self-awareness.
A 2013 study in Science found that reading literary fiction improved the ability to recognize others’ emotions—a key part of emotional intelligence and mood regulation.
4. Reading Triggers the Brain’s Pleasure and Reward Systems
Engaging storytelling activates the dopaminergic system in the brain, especially if the story is emotionally satisfying or cathartic. This gives a natural mood boost.
Narratives also create mental imagery, which can simulate positive experiences, soothing anxiety and even enhancing optimism.
5. Reading Improves Sleep and Circadian Balance
Reading before bed—especially paper books—can help transition the body into rest mode by:
Reducing exposure to stimulating blue light (unlike screens).
Creating a bedtime routine that entrains circadian rhythms and helps fall asleep faster, improving mood regulation the next day.
Now you have the perfect excuse to prioritize reading on your to do list!
Need some recommendations to get you started?
Here are 6 Summer Reads I've been enjoying so far this season
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: A love/hate relationship that leans into the romantic comedy cliche with lots of great banter and a little bit of a twist.
Beach House Rules Kristy Harvey Woodson: The support of sisterhood and chosen family at its best. And the multiple unanswered mysteries throughout keep you turning the pages.
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl: Amazing descriptions of food, wine and Paris itself, a girl becoming herself and solving a mystery along the way. I loved it all so much.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewel: A fun mystery but, as the title implies, also a psychological exploration that keeps you questioning the whole time, so what IS actually true?
The stolen life of Colleen Marceau by Kristen Harmel: One of my favorite authors of historical fiction. I can’t wait to dive into this one next. I love learning about the amazing women of history and Harmel had me at the title.
Great Big Beautiful by Life Emily Henry: I heart Emily Henry and look forward to her new book each summer. Even the title excites me and, as a fellow Mid-Westerner, I always get nostalgic with her chosen locations around the Great Lakes. She’s also one of my favorite for her hilarious rom-com banter and her ability to describe the rollercoaster emotions of love with perfection.
Have a book you love? Recommend it below!
To your adventures in reading!
