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“I don’t have time to read.” I kept telling myself that for months, until the day I looked at my screen time: two hours a day scrolling. I had the time. I was just giving it to Instagram instead of a book.
Summer is the perfect time to fix this. And reading isn’t just about “looking good”: it changes measurable things in your brain.
Reading is a workout for your brain
Fiction, especially, works like a simulator. When you follow a character, your brain doesn’t just read words: it replays the scene. The areas that manage emotions and sensations light up as if you were actually there. Over time, you get better at decoding other people. A novel with characters that aren’t black and white trains you to understand complex people. That’s life.
And it goes beyond imagination. Researchers from Emory University measured an increase in brain connectivity that lasts for several days after closing the book. Heavy readers also have more gray matter in language areas. Every chapter is just another set at the gym. Except here, you don’t sweat. 💪
Six minutes to take the pressure off
The University of Sussex compared several ways to decompress. Reading came out on top: it cuts stress by nearly 70%, beating out music, tea, or going for a walk. And all it takes is six minutes to work.
The reason is simple: focusing on a single thing switches your nervous system into rest mode. It’s the exact opposite of scrolling, which keeps you on permanent high alert. Bedtime bonus: reading on paper puts you to sleep about ten minutes faster than a tablet, whose blue light kills melatonin. You’ll notice the difference in your sleep… or maybe not, I’ve already told you what I think about smart rings .
A brain that ages better
Over twenty years, the PAQUID study followed thousands of people: reading regularly reduces the risk of dementia by about a third. And it’s never too late. The brain remains plastic even if you start at 60 or 70, and each page builds connections that compensate for wear and tear. Not bad for something that costs the price of a paperback.
The 5-page rule
The real obstacle isn’t time; it’s getting started. My trick: commit to reading five pages, not a single one more. Nine times out of ten, once you get going, you don’t stop. Aim for thirty minutes when you can—that’s roughly the time it takes to get truly sucked into the story.
The format doesn’t matter much. Novels, essays, comics, manga: everything works as long as you’re turning pages. By the way, if you read digital comics, my rant against Izneo is still highly relevant. And if you need a framework to stick to it, the Pomodoro technique works just as well for reading as it does for working.
What matters is those thirty minutes where you don’t exist for anyone else: not for your notifications, not for your boss. Just for you.
Team e-reader
Personally, I read on a Kindle and I’m never going back. The e-ink screen doesn’t strain your eyes and has nothing to do with the blue light of a tablet, so I can read in bed without ruining my sleep. My entire library in something thinner than a paperback, with battery life measured in weeks.
The detail that changes everything: I pick up my reading on my iPhone via the Kindle app, exactly where I left off on the e-reader. Standing in line at the supermarket, five minutes snatched for my novel. If you’re still on the fence, I’ve already told you how awesome I think the Paperwhite is .
A sharper brain, less stress, higher empathy: for thirty minutes a day, the return on investment is hard to beat. This summer, before you reopen Instagram, open a book instead.
What are you reading right now? Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to share your recommendations.
