In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to pause and engage in a peaceful activity like reading can be challenging. However, dedicating just 20 minutes a day to reading a book can have profound effects on your mental and physical health, as well as your emotional and intellectual well-being. Mubin Ahmed, Data Enthusiast and Book Lover at Awesome Books spoke exclusively with health specialist Anita Hemming on why carving out these minutes can be one of the best investments you make in yourself.
Mental Stimulation and Cognitive Health
Consistent mental stimulation is essential for keeping your brain sharp and healthy. Reading is a fantastic way to engage multiple parts of the brain, as it involves concentration, focus, and comprehension. Studies have shown that this type of brain exercise can slow down cognitive decline in aging and may even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can keep your brain active and engaged, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Stress Reduction
A study by the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, working faster and better than other relaxation methods such as listening to music or drinking tea. Engaging in a narrative allows your mind to escape from daily stresses, transporting you to another realm and distracting you from current worries. This daily detachment from anxiety can lead to better mental health and improved overall life satisfaction.
Knowledge Acquisition
Every book offers a chance to learn. Whether it’s non-fiction revealing the workings of the universe, or a novel that offers insights into human behavior, each page turned accumulates knowledge. This can make you better equipped to tackle challenges and engage more deeply in conversations across a broader range of topics.

Improved Sleep
Establishing a nightly routine that includes reading can help prepare your body for sleep. The ritual of reading before bed signals to your body that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep, especially if you’re reading a physical book instead of an e-book, which can emit sleep-disrupting blue light.
Enhanced Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Reading fiction, in particular, has the unique ability to develop empathy. By living vicariously through the characters and immersing yourself in their lives, you gain insights into other people’s thoughts and feelings. This can translate into better relationships in your own life, as understanding diverse human experiences is key to emotional intelligence.
Memory Improvement and Focus
Following storylines and character developments in novels requires memory and attention to detail. Each new memory you create for your brain’s “database” helps to strengthen existing memory pathways and build new ones. This improves your memory recall and concentration in other areas of life.
Prevention of Boredom and Depression
Reading can be a powerful tool in combating boredom and symptoms of depression by providing an escape to other worlds, stimulating the mind, and offering solace that one is not alone in their experiences.
Anita Hemming told Awesome Books exclusively and says:
Just 20 minutes of reading daily can significantly impact your life, providing mental, emotional, and intellectual benefits. Whether you’re exploring new worlds in sci-fi, uncovering history in a biography, or reflecting with poetry, reading is a journey that everyone can embark on. The small investment of time can yield a large return for your health and happiness. So why not start today? Grab a book and set a timer—your next great adventure is waiting between the pages, just 20 minutes away.