The pandemic saw a profound change in reading and media literacy. On one hand, people suddenly had more time to sit down and enjoy a book, contributing to sites like Goodreads and forming online communities like BookTok. On the other, there was a huge negative impact on children’s reading and language development, both across the nation and globally. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, kindergarten aged children in the U.S. saw a 66% decrease in their language and reading growth due to COVID-19. As schools returned to in- person learning and curriculums adjusted to absorb the impact of the pandemic, kids have begun returning to pre- pandemic literacy rates (though social and digital media still present their own challenges for kids’ reading comprehension and attention spans.)

But what about adults? Many lose interest in reading due to negative early experiences in school, whether they struggled with literacy skills or were forced to read books they didn’t enjoy. Some may also see reading as a chore rather than something to enjoy. It can be hard to find books that feel like a worthwhile time investment with busy daily lives and time demands. 

According to the Pew Research Center study done in 2021, “roughly a quarter of American adults (23%) say they haven’t read a book in whole or in part in the past year, whether in print, electronic, or audio form.” Many demographic traits are linked with media literacy, including race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education level, though many recent studies have shown that adult reading rates are decreasing across all demographics. For example, American adults (50+ years old) of all demographics are more likely than younger Americans to be non- book readers.

The benefits of reading are largely the same for kids as they are for adults. According to the Center for Adult Education (CAE) in Australia, reading is beneficial for kids and adults alike for several reasons:

1. Reading reduces stress. A study conducted by the University of Sussex found that as many as six minutes of quiet reading was reported to reduce stress by as much as 68% for study participants. Reading worked better and faster to reduce stress than other tested activities, like listening to music, going for a walk, or sitting down with a favorite beverage.
2. Reading also promotes wellness. A 2016 study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine found that reading for at least 30 minutes a day was related to a longer lifespan. Study participants who read the minimum amount per day reported living two years longer than the average. A reading charity in the UK also conducted a survey which reported that people who read books regularly were on average more satisfied with their lives, happier, and more likely to feel like the things they did were worthwhile. 
3. Reading can also combat neurodegenerative diseases. Reading at any age keeps the brain active and helps lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia later in life.
4. Reading, especially before bed, helps with sleep. Reading reduces stress, anxiety, and muscle tension, which lends itself to being more relaxed and sleeping better as a result. This works best with reading physical books- no devices or blue lights to throw off your circadian rhythms or worsen eye strain.
5. Reading can also improve our relationships. Our brains don’t distinguish between what we read vs. what we experience (part of why positive self- talk and visualization are so important). Reading (fiction, especially) increases empathy, as we temporarily see the world through another’s eyes. We can also enjoy better social skills and an ability to understand the thoughts and emotions of others, including those whose lives may be vastly different from our own. 
6. And, of course, reading makes us better thinkers, improves our critical thinking and problem solving skills, boosts both our general and specific knowledge, and helps further develop our social and communication skills. Reading can also decrease loneliness and social isolation with amazing communities like bookclubs and online communities. 

If we can enjoy all these benefits, why do adults read less? The most common reason is time. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to incorporate reading into our daily lives when everything else feels like it’s going off the rails. Reading can also feel like too much work, by which we usually mean we’re just out of practice. Some people just don’t see the point- whether they hated reading in school, see nothing to gain from it, or just don’t have a place for it in their lives. 

How do we reframe this to make reading fun again? To start, reading should be fun, not work. Making reading something you want to do vs. something you have to do is key to making it a habit you enjoy. Instead of doom scrolling on social media or watching tv, try picking up a book and incorporate reading into your unwinding routine at the end of the day. You can start simple and read one chapter before switching to social media or other fun, end-of-day activities. 

We read all day, every day, but we can fall out of practice with reading longer pieces. A book might take longer to get through than we’d like, making it easier to get bored and stop halfway through. Solution? Practice on something easy. Instead of committing cold turkey to reading something like Game of Thrones, pick something you know you’ll like, or reread a book you enjoyed in the past. Trying new genres can keep you engaged and also prevent future reading fatigue.

If picking up a book isn’t working, audiobooks are a fantastic alternative. Audiobooks allow you to ‘read’ while exercising, driving, or doing chores, and are a fantastic way to get the same benefits while maintaining your daily routines. Reading on your phone, tablet, or e-reader are more wonderful alternatives that often cost less than physical books and are easier to bring with you on the go.

Rediscovering a love of reading or kindling a new habit can be such a transformative experience. From sparking creativity to finding moments of calm in a busy life, getting back into reading can enrich your mind and creativity, turning each book into a new adventure.