Can Reading Make You Happier?

[dhaller]

I think that any sufficiently productive, positive experience can make you happy; I don't think reading is special in that regards.

Physical exercise can have similar benefits.

Of course, reading is special in other ways.

[Bluedonutcentral]

Yes, reading can take a person away from their troubles by introducing a new world were anything can happen.

[Morgan_Malone]

Of course! Why else would I spend hours at a time basically staring at pieces of paper

[Jojowrites4All]

Of course, reading is my first love. It is a life long companion that I would be lost without. No television, because I'm devoted to reading. I'm addicted to the peace and happiness that it gives me. Reading is my life, and my hubby to be is no longer jealous.

[Anki_Real_Reviews]

It depends on the kind of content you are reading. Doesn't it? I'll say reading can distract us from our worries. Now whether it will be a happy or sad distraction, it depends entirely on the content. One thing is for sure though, reading is the best way to gain momentarily serenity.

[VinuW]

Of course it can! Reading is an escape from all the drama in my life.

[sillysue82]

Of course.

The more I read, the healthier my brain feels. That definitely helps in the happiness department.

[Meg0169]

Most definitely. Reading books helps me escape from daily life and explore new worlds. Even when I am already in a happy place and do not need escapism, reading makes me that much happier. Even reading a sad novel makes me happy because I have just experienced a good story.

[CaitCupcake]

Of course! Why else would I spend hours at a time basically staring at pieces of paper

Great way to describe what we do. I also enjoy staring at pieces of paper

Even when the story contained is a sad one I'm still happy reading.

[DarkestbeforeDawn]

I think it certainly could. Books make you feel emotions and your body physiologically responds accordingly. There doesn't even have to be any sort of studies, I'll believe it!

[Christen1]

It always makes me happier. I love days that I'm off and get to read all day!

[DATo]

I wonder if anyone else has ever had this experience.

Sometimes when I have completed some task or returned home from somewhere and I'm bored I find myself looking around for something to do, and then, with a surge of euphoria, I remember the book I was reading and what was happening at the point I left off and rush off to get the book and continue reading. At those moments, even before I have the book in my hands, I can say that I am genuinely happy.

[cogarae]

I Defenitrly believe it can make you happier because it allows you to escape to a world other than your own.

[Sarah G]

I always find that books will cheer me up on bad days or even just stressful days. Losing yourself in a different world away from yours every noweek and then can do a world of good

[kaz_mwangala]

I'm going to go with heck yeah!! Reading a book is an escape. No matter what mood i'm in, i can just immerse myself in a book and forget about my blues. Reading for me feels like i'm living in that particular space and everything else seems to fade away. so yeah i'd say reading is definitely good for the soul