In a world filled with stress, pressure to succeed and endless digital distractions, something as simple as opening a book can bring calm and focus. For many people, reading isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifeline for their mental health.

October is National Book Month, a time to celebrate reading and its benefits. Reading is shown to support mental health by providing relaxation and stress relief, while also improving social skills, creativity and memory, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

“Reading is honestly so good for mental health because it gives your brain a chance to just chill for a while,” junior Laura Daugherty said. “Instead of stressing over a million things or overthinking, you get to focus on a story and forget about everything else. It kind of makes you feel lighter and more relaxed, like hitting pause on all the chaos for a bit.”

In 2023, researchers from Cambridge University studied over 10,000 young adolescents. The study found that those who read regularly had fewer signs of stress, indicating that reading helps shift focus away from problems and creates a healthier, calmer state of mind.

“I think reading does reduce stress because you get to put yourself in a different mindset when you read and another world which kind of goes away from all the problems that you’re having in real life,” senior Katie Graham said.

Another way reading can improve one’s well-being is when it’s done before bed. According to the Sleep Foundation, reading improves sleep by helping people fall asleep faster, wake up less and rest longer. Books promote relaxation by slowing the heart, easing muscle tension, calming the mind and reducing stressful thoughts, while also replacing harmful screen time with a healthier, sleep-friendly routine.

“Honestly, reading before bed is such a game changer for my mental health,” Daugherty said. “It helps me calm down after a stressful day, gets my mind off the stuff I’m overthinking and I actually sleep better instead of being stuck on my phone all night.”

According to Nystrom and Associates, a behavioral health organization, reading for mental health encourages deep reflection on someone’s own values, beliefs and actions. Following the adventures and challenges of different characters allows them to see parts of themselves in their journeys and better understand their own thoughts and feelings. This process of self-reflection helps recognize what truly matters and identify areas for personal growth. 

“I think it’s like when you watch an inspiring movie, you get inspired by the characters and I think it works the same way with reading,” librarian Kristen Schoenberger said. “I gain insight into life and problems that we all face, it’s nice to know there’s other people dealing with the issues and writing about them. When you read about the characters in the story you can think about yourself in that situation and how you would handle it.”