When I finally get in bed for the night, my finger is so tempted to click “next episode of Schitt’s Creek”. While this form of winding down before going to sleep or past time activity remains compelling, reading for pleasure can be extremely beneficial. “I have no time for reading, I do enough of that for the classes I’m taking!” I know, and I felt the same way researching the mental health benefits of reading. However, the reading that I’m talking about is focused on reading whatever your heart desires. Whether your reading of choice includes an intricate novel or children’s literature, reading can be a form of self-care.

According to Reading Partners, a children’s literacy nonprofit organization, leisurely reading promotes relaxation and decreases stress levels through engagement of the imagination. Similar to meditation, reading is an activity that requires focus on a single task, altering the conscious state of mind. Neuroscientist Dr. David Lewis of the University of Sussex explains that participants of a study who read for only five minutes demonstrated slower heart rates, a decrease in muscle tension and a reduced stress level.

Not only is reading beneficial to your present mental health state, it also has long-term benefits. Chronic stress, which reading can help to alleviate, leads to poor immune system function, speeds up the aging process, disturbs the digestive system, and much more. Also, consistently reading can bring on a healthier brain as we age. In another study, people who read throughout life and people who did not were observed in a longitudinal fashion and compared. Those who read regularly throughout their lives showed an increased mental capacity in comparison to those who did not. In addition, those who did not read demonstrated increased mental decline rate by almost 50%. Further studies explored the correlation between reading and development of Alzheimer’s Disease, a neurodegenerative condition commonly found in old age that results in the loss of memory and other mental function, and found that people who participated in reading had a lesser chance of progressing into this disease. Similar to how our arm muscles need to be working in order to maintain their strength, the brain requires this same activation in order for successful functioning.

Recognizing the impact of reading on the mind, a new technique has been implemented in some patients in efforts to alleviate some symptoms of mental illness. Bibliotherapy is a method in which reading is used to treat mental, emotional, and even physical problems. An article from Psychology Today explains that this method works to expand the mind and offer additional ideas to work through problems as well as provide a sense of companionship. In addition, reading challenges the mind, which can function to increase empathy, interpersonal skills, etc.

As much as reading may seem like a chore, taking the time to find a piece of literature that you genuinely enjoy can have a beneficial impact on your current as well as future state of mind. Take the time out of your day to do something your mind and body will thank you for!