Reading for Relaxation: Building an Easy Habit, Backed by Reading Agency Survey Data

Reading is one of the oldest ways to switch off at the end of the day, but many adults find it harder than they used to. The Reading Agency, a UK charity that promotes reading, publishes annual survey data on how much adults read, what gets in the way and what people report gaining from it. This guide summarises that data, treating it as self-reported survey evidence, and turns it into practical ways to make reading a relaxing habit.

What counts as reading for pleasure

The Reading Agency’s 2024 adult reading report says reading for pleasure can include magazines, graphic novels, audiobooks, blogs and more, not just books (The Reading Agency, “Adult Reading Research Report 2024”). That matters for relaxation, because the format that suits a tired evening may differ from the one that suits a commute. A magazine, a short story collection or an audiobook all count.

How many people read, and what stops them

The report is based on a survey of 2,003 nationally representative UK adults, carried out by Censuswide in April 2024. It found that only half of the nation (50%) now reads regularly, down from 58% in 2015. It lists several barriers:

• Low reading confidence: 11% find reading always or usually difficult, rising to 22% among young adults.
• Difficulty finishing: nearly 3 in 10 people (30%) struggle to finish what they read.
• Difficulty focusing: 28% struggle to focus on reading for more than a few minutes.

For young adults aged 16 to 34, the report adds that lower enjoyment (55%), difficulty focusing (42%) and difficulty finding relatable content (39%) are the main barriers. It also says lapsed readers attribute their decline to life events, health issues and time spent on social media, and that films, TV, podcasts and audiobooks play a significant role in introducing reading to non-readers and rekindling interest among lapsed readers.

What readers report

The Reading Agency’s “Reading Facts” page collects research on the benefits of reading for pleasure. Several points are relevant to relaxation, and each is an association or a self-report rather than proof that reading causes the effect (The Reading Agency, “Reading Facts”):

• Regular readers for pleasure in the UK reported fewer feelings of stress than non-readers, and high life satisfaction.
• 44% of regular readers said reading had improved their mental health and wellbeing, compared with 23% of lapsed and non-readers.
• Adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are described as 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction.
• Reading for pleasure was also associated with better sleeping patterns.
• Participation in shared reading groups is linked to enhanced relaxation, calmness, concentration, quality of life, confidence and self-esteem.

The 2024 report also notes that regular readers report higher wellbeing and life satisfaction compared with lapsed and non-readers, along with improved sleep, concentration, empathy and creativity. Because these figures come from surveys, it is possible that people who already feel calmer read more, so they are best read as encouraging signs rather than guarantees.

Making reading easier to relax with

The barriers the charity identifies point to some practical fixes:

• Lower the bar. If focus is the problem, start with short pieces, a few pages or a single chapter. The survey found that many people struggle to focus for more than a few minutes, so a five-minute start is normal, not a failure.
• Try another format. Since audiobooks, magazines and graphic novels all count, switch formats if print feels like effort. The Reading Agency’s own programme Quick Reads offers accessible, affordable adult stories with an easy-to-read style, which can help a lapsed reader ease back in.
• Follow interest, not obligation. The report cites lack of enjoyment and difficulty finding interesting content as major barriers for non-readers, so choose what genuinely appeals. The charity publishes booklists with recommendations.
• Read with others. The research the charity cites links shared reading groups with relaxation and calm, so a book club may suit some readers.

Fitting reading into a wind-down

Reading works well as one step in an evening routine, and our guide to timed evening wind-down routines shows how to build one around a fixed slot. Two adjustments help. First, decide the format in advance so there is no scrolling to choose. Second, keep screens out of the way if they tend to pull attention elsewhere, a theme covered in our guide to digital wellbeing and screen time. Listening rather than reading is a further option, and our piece on audio and calm covers the wider role of sound.

This article is general wellbeing information. Anyone whose difficulty with reading or concentration is persistent or worrying could speak to a GP.

The bottom line

The Reading Agency’s survey data shows that half of UK adults read regularly, that trouble focusing and low confidence are common barriers, and that regular readers report higher wellbeing and lower stress. Those findings are associations, not proof. Reading for pleasure includes magazines, audiobooks and graphic novels, so the easiest route to a relaxing habit is to start with short sessions in a format that appeals and, if possible, share the experience through a reading group.

Sources

• The Reading Agency, “Adult Reading Research Report 2024”
• The Reading Agency, “Reading Facts”