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Reading for pleasure can improve wellbeing, Cambridge study finds

BBC • September 15, 2026 • health

Key Points:

University of Cambridge researchers Prof Barbara Sahakian and Dr Christelle Langley found that reading for pleasure improves mental health, cognitive performance, and reduces dementia risk at any age.
Their review, published in Psychological Medicine, highlights that reading enhances brain function and academic success while fostering empathy.
Early reading habits in children are linked to better attention, memory, problem-solving skills, improved school performance, and healthier lifestyles.
The researchers emphasize the importance of encouraging children to find enjoyable reading material, using interests like TV shows or games as entry points.
This work was conducted in collaboration with The Queen's Reading Room charity during the National Year of Reading to promote the benefits of reading.