The Benefits of Reading Slowly
I’ve noticed a growing trend in the bookish corners of Social Media… the ‘number of books read in a year’ videos with their almost passive-aggressive competitiveness. As a book lover, I applaud the idea of reading more books, but if the number read is more important than the experience of reading, then surely something is being missed.
In a world that moves fast and increasingly demands so much from us, choosing to read slowly and mindfully might feel like a radical act. But it's one that can bring deep rest, clarity, and connection — not just to the stories we read, but to ourselves.
Mindful reading invites us to pause. To breathe. To be fully present with the words on the page rather than skimming through them or multitasking with a screen in hand. It invites us to immerse ourselves in the pleasure of reading. When we do that, something magical happens: we begin to destress, restore balance, and gently recharge.
If we are caught up in the need to read as many books as possible so that we can impress others with our novel numbers, we are bringing stress to our reading experience and missing out on many of the benefits.
A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that engaging deeply with literature can improve empathy, reduce stress, and foster greater self-awareness (Koopman et al., 2020). Another study from the University of Sussex showed that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to 68% — more than listening to music or going for a walk (Lewis, 2009).
The key to enjoying these benefits is how we read.
When we slow down, we move beyond simply scanning and mindlessly processing words — we start to feel them. We notice the rhythm of a well-crafted sentence, the way a story mirrors our own experiences, the softness of a quiet moment between characters. We connect more deeply with the subject, themes, and characters. We become fully present.
Try this:
Light a candle.
Sit somewhere cosy — maybe with a blanket or soft socks.
Read because you want to, not because you think you should.
That goes for genres too - there are no ‘guilty pleasures’, just books you genuinely enjoy. Don’t plough through War & Peace when you’d rather dive into Julia Quinn. Stories are meant to be enjoyed, not endured.
Read without rushing. Pause when a phrase resonates.
Let yourself be in the story, instead of hurrying to the end.
Whether it’s an old favourite, a new poetry collection, cosy mystery, or a quiet memoir, slow reading can feel like a form of meditation. It grounds us in the now and encourages us to connect with all our senses.
Remember: reading hundreds of books a year doesn’t make you a book lover; the enjoyment you get from them does. Slow down, savour each story as fully as possible, and enjoy the beautiful benefits that come with mindful reading.
Sources
Koopman, E., et al. (2020). Literature as a Tool for Emotion Regulation: Evidence from Reading Fiction and Nonfiction. Frontiers in Psychology.
Lewis, D. (2009). Mindlab International at the University of Sussex study on stress reduction and reading.
