The Benefits of Reading
Jan 10 2023
A shocking 2022 study from the American Psychological Association revealed that 34 percent of Americans feel completely overwhelmed by stress nearly every day. Millions of readers have discovered that reading books can help reduce daily stress and anxiety. One study found that 30 minutes of reading is as helpful as 30 minutes of yoga! We've collected some of the best research on this vital topic -- reminding us all about the physical and mental wellness benefits of reading.
Why is reading important?
Stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation are on the rise, and reading books provides a powerful solution to these problems.Stories promote empathy, social perception, emotional intelligence, and other cognitive abilities that can lead to better physical and mental health. In a world struggling with cognitive dissonance and toxic behaviors on social media, a reading habit delivers digital nutrition.Fable is a tech company with the soul of an artist, and every member of our team is a life-long reader. We believe that stories and storytelling are universally human and fundamentally define us as human beings. We are working every day to help readers find new books, read together, and enjoy the many wellness benefits of reading. Our social reading platform puts the omnipresent mobile screen in service of digital nutrition. Through reading, we foster:- Mental wellness
- Personal growth
- Meaningful connections
What are the general health benefits of reading?
For centuries, readers have gained a number of healthy advantages from a well-read life. “Books were, in and of themselves, reasons to stay alive,” wrote the great author Matt Haig in "Reasons to Stay Alive," explaining how books helped him cope with struggles in his life."Every time I read a great book I felt I was reading a kind of map, a treasure map, and the treasure I was being directed to was in actual fact myself.”
Fable will help you make reading a daily healthy habit, enjoying all the general health benefits of reading.General health benefits of reading 30 minutes a day
- Supercharge your vocabulary
- Help you sleep better at night
- Improve your reading comprehension
- Lower your blood pressure
- Make you smarter
- Promotes the values of tolerance, inclusion, and respect
- Fosters social engagement and social skills
What are the mental health benefits of reading?
“When the line between duty and sanity blurs, you can usually find me curled up with a battered book, reading as if my mental health depended on it. And it does, for inside the books I love I find food, respite, escape, and perspective,” wrote Erin Blakemore in her love-letter to books: “The Heroine's Bookshelf.” Decades of research has proven that reading is a simple yet powerful tool to improve our mental wellness. We want all Fable readers to enjoy those same benefits.Mental health benefits of reading 30 minutes every day
- Alleviates anxiety, depression and stress
- Increases your self esteem
- Rewires our brain for greater intelligence and empathy
- Extends our lives by as much as two years
- Boosts memory and reduces risk of dementia later in life
- Nurtures concentration and patience
Find book clubs & book recommendations on Fable
Now that you know all the general health advantages and mental health benefits of reading, it’s time to start reading! Fable community members enjoy the many benefits of reading while making deeper human connections with other readers. Start by exploring our exceptional book recommendations from some of the world’s great tastemakers. Each Folio covers an important theme, and some of our Folio curators include LeVar Burton, Paulo Coelho, Wolfgang Puck, and Jasmine Guillory. Discover great book recommendations!Fable also makes it easy for readers to share their thoughts and connect with others through Reading Clubs. With our platform, you can host every aspect of an online discussion at a single destination, to reach readers and build safe online communities regardless of location or time zone.Start your own book club today!Every week, we update our Fable blog with new features, interviews, and reader resources. Explore any of these articles to become a better reader and discover book recommendations in every genre.Book Recommendations for moms and kidsShadow and Bone -- More Books That Are MoviesBook recommendations for books by Black authors in every genreLove story book recommendationsClassic and free book recommendations