Reading isn't just a way to pass the time — it can be a powerful tool for supporting mental health and wellbeing. From helping to reduce stress and loneliness to helping prevent cognitive decline, studies show that reading can offer tangible benefits that enhance everyday life.
For organizations committed to supporting the wellbeing of their patients, patrons or customers, providing easy access to reading materials is a simple, high-impact solution. It’s a meaningful way to elevate their experience with you, while helping them feel calmer, more connected and emotionally supported.
The health benefits of reading
Reading helps reduce stress, loneliness and more
A growing body of research confirms what many readers already know: reading supports both mental and emotional health.
A 2023 review of mind-stimulating leisure activities found a clear link between reading and overall wellbeing. Regular readers of books, magazines and newspapers reported fewer symptoms of depression, improved daily function and even less chronic pain than those that didn’t read.
The study also found that reading helps reduce loneliness. While this may seem counterintuitive — reading is a solitary activity after all — researchers noted that certain forms of reading offer a simulated sense of social connection. Immersed in stories, readers experience meaningful interactions with characters and narratives, which can foster empathy and negate feelings of isolation.
Reading supports resilience and emotional wellbeing
In clinical settings, reading is proving to be an effective tool for emotional support. A 2023 article from the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association found that bibliotherapy — structured reading for therapeutic purposes — had promising results for cancer patients. Whether reading independently or being read to, patients experienced reduced anxiety and a greater sense of calm.
For healthcare providers, it's a reminder that even small, non-invasive interventions can have a real impact on emotional health, which can also positively contribute to how patients navigate their care.
Reading can help prevent cognitive decline
Beyond the emotional benefits, reading supports long-term brain health. According to Psychology Today, it improves attention span, strengthens memory and expands vocabulary, all of which contribute to cognitive resilience. A 14-year longitudinal study from the National Library of Medicine found that consistent reading can help prevent cognitive decline in aging populations, regardless of their education levels. In other words, it helps maintain quality of life over time, which is increasingly important as people live longer.
People want to be healthier — and they're looking for content that guides them
Reading doesn't just make people feel better. Many are actively seeking out content that helps them manage their health.
PressReader data shows that in the first 6 months of 2025, 68% of articles read on the platform included some aspect of health-related information. From nutrition and fitness to mental health and stress management, readers are turning to content for self-care and informed decision-making.
This highlights a key point: reading offers a dual health benefit. It supports mental and emotional wellbeing — and gives readers access to trusted, health-focused information.
The challenge? People are more distracted than ever
Between endless scrolling, constant notifications and so much content to consume, it's harder than ever to find focus, let alone moments of calm.
Reading cuts through the noise. Whether it's a magazine feature, investigative journalism or daily news roundup, reading offers a chance to slow down, reflect and engage deeply.
The challenge is getting people to a place where they can easily find and dive into reading materials.
The opportunity for service providers
For service-driven organizations, there's real value in supporting customer or patron wellbeing — and reading is an easy, impactful way to do just that.
In healthcare, reading offers a science-backed way to support patient wellbeing and recovery. As shown by research, reading reduces anxiety and facilitates a sense of calm in what can often be an overwhelming environment. It offers patients and their families a more health-focused alternative to traditional distractions, helps them stay mentally engaged and provides a feeling of connection to the outside world.
Bonus: Reading can also be a great perk for healthcare professionals. Hospitals, clinics and care homes can be stressful and high-pressure environments in which to work. So, providing access to quality newspapers, magazines and books offers healthcare professionals a way to unwind and invest in their own emotional wellbeing after a long day, or during breaks.
And healthcare isn't the only place where access to reading materials is beneficial.
In hospitality, reading can transform the guest experience. After a long flight or packed itinerary, travelers can unwind with a favorite magazine or news from home. This creates a moment of calm that makes their stay feel more personalized and memorable.
In academic libraries, reading helps students manage stress, take mental breaks and reset between assignments. Access to diverse reading materials supports both academic success and personal wellbeing, giving students the tools to thrive outside the classroom.
The additional benefits of digital reading
Beyond the health benefits of reading we’ve already covered, reading via a digital platform offers further benefits.
Organizations can use a digital reading platform, like PressReader, to provide thousands of newspapers, magazines and books that users can access on their own devices. Digital reading not only provides an enormous breadth of content, it’s also:
- More hygienic: Users can access digital reading platforms from their own devices, eliminating the need to share physical publications and the risks of multi-touch surfaces — particularly beneficial in healthcare settings.
- More sustainable: With a digital reading platform, you don’t need to continuously source, distribute and recycle physical copies of publications.
- More relevant: In PressReader, the latest editions of newspapers and magazines are often available as soon as they’re published, giving readers the most recent, relevant news and articles.
Support the people you serve with the benefits of reading
Whether your goal is to improve patient care, enhance guest experiences, support student health, or support your own audience, introducing reading is a simple but effective way to show up for the people you serve.
PressReader makes it easy. With access to thousands of the world’s leading newspapers, magazines and eBooks, the digital platform helps you support your audience with relevant, engaging content. It's reading, made immediately accessible.
Click the button below to earn more about how PressReader can help your organization empower your audience with the benefits of reading:
